Green Living

Protecting the environment begins at home. Literally.

The Hoosier Environmental Council is heavily involved in educating and encouraging builders and homeowners in the construction of “green homes,” residences that are designed to be energy-efficient by employing the latest technology and materials. Homes that conserve water and create less waste. Homes that make the most of the land they occupy and are considerate of their surroundings even before they’re built.

Existing homes can be made greener, too. By making greater use of renewable energy sources, updating kitchens and installing modern heating equipment. Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs can make a difference. So can planting a tree in your backyard. A green home is a smart home. And that’s the lesson we want to teach.

Being green goes far beyond recycling cans in the cafeteria and printing double-sided — there is great opportunity for businesses in Indiana to grow in their green initiatives. With the proper education, businesses can adopt practices and institute policies that can make our state a greener, healthier place to live, work and play. The most important part of creating a green workplace is to make it part of the corporate culture. All team members must understand and embrace the company’s commitment to the environment.

What better place to teach about the importance on the environment than in our schools? From K-12 to colleges and universities, schools are going green and implementing green curriculum.

America’s cities, during the 2000s, began to emerge as being at the forefront in the movement to green our nation. Over the decade, we have seen the blossoming of green buildings and hybrid car fleets, and the expansion of bike paths and parks that were once brownfields. In Indiana, mayors from Carmel and Greencastle, to Kokomo and Valparaiso, are leading their cities to cleaner, healthier futures.

Places of worship are natural settings to make the best use of the resources that we are blessed with. Indiana is very fortunate to have several organizations and faith groups that bring stewardship of Creation and sustainability to Hoosier congregations. These groups provide resources to congregations, faith leaders, and lay people. How to establish a Green Team, promote energy efficiency for facilities, and “eat ethically” are just a few of the initiatives that these groups have established for faith communities.

As a consumer, following the three R`s – reduce, reuse, recycle –  can be a great way to advocate for the environment.  Reduce your waste by buying products with little or no packaging. Reuse items, buy used items, or make something new from an old item. Recycle your packaging waste and buy recycled when you can. These simple actions lessen your environmental impact and send a message to corporations.