Are You Green About Environmental Responsibility?
By on Feb 29, 2008
Everything's coming up "green" these days, as the media bombard us with that buzzword. Environmental consciousness is a good thing and I think most people agree that in the past we've been a wasteful society when it comes to our resources. But I wonder whether the general public is jumping on the "green" bandwagon with a kind of naïve, blind faith that is too trusting of anything bearing that label.
What does "green" mean in the environmental sense? It seems to stand for things that are in line with the global ecology movement that started decades ago. As with many well-intentioned movements, it has paved the way for experimental products that have less-than-desirable results. One example is solar energy, which was first promoted in the 1970s before the technology had been developed enough to make it work as an effective source of heating. Today, we're hearing more about windmills and their potential on the energy grid. Some sources say their use can have a 40 per cent effect; other experts say their contribution would be negligible. Who's right?
ENERGY STAR® ratings, passive solar energy, geothermal heat pumps - if today's consumers are confused, it's understandable. For the new home building industry, there are several organizations that set out criteria for achieving environmental responsibility. Membership is voluntary, and each program promotes green building principles. Which is best? It's up to purchasers to do their homework. This will eventually become less of an issue, as stricter standards are being considered for Ontario Building Code to cover green building principles. This sounds like a wonderful step - and it can be - if sufficient research is conducted on the implications of the new techniques and products.
The point is, before you make your decision on a new home community based on a company's claim to use green building principles, find out what that means. And remember that adding energy-efficient features and systems also adds to construction costs, which means the consumer pays more.
Today, it's politically correct to say you support the "green" movement - but that's not good enough. We need more public awareness about what green means and whether the item or system being discussed has been proven to have the effect it's supposed to. No one wants to back a loser; just remember all the folks who chose Beta over VHS. Green is just one more thing to educate yourself about before you sign on the dotted line.
Hugh Heron is principal and partner in the Heron Group of Companies, president of Heathwood Homes and a member of the board of directors of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as a past president of the Toronto Home Builders? Association and the Ontario Home Builders' Association.
