Housing, Family, Community, and Global Impact
Originally submitted by: Administrator
In 2005, the average American single-family house was a whopping 2300 square feet. 21% of American families had five or more persons in the house. That figure has dropped to 10%, on average. Having a large family has taken on grand ethical issues. Having no more than two children, by today's standards, can render your household carbon-neutral. Having one child can render your family carbon-negative. But it's anew year, let's move past these figures and terms for now. We generally don't think of things in terms of carbon, or what will reduce our carbon footprint while we are on this earth. Let's eliminate the word carbon, and think more about Global Impact. The way you live has Global Impact. Your toaster has Global Impact. Every year it releases ten pounds of carbon into the atmosphere. And if you leave it plugged in, it will cost you over three dollars per year in your energy bill. Now zoom out and look at your entire home. This is the beginning of a discussion on the ethics of where and how we live. We shall weigh the impact that our lifestyles have on the environment, our community, and our society. It's a new year, is it time for change?
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Re:Housing, Family, Community, and Global Impact
Originally submitted by: barcode 2x
A recent article I read in GOOD Magazine talks about the new yuppie communes of the present and future. Basically, there are more and more new housing communities being built in cities to attract young people. Many of them have communal living spaces, social events coordinators, etc. The idea is that you share resources, socialize, help each other watch the kids, and so on. You move into a village high-rise. This sounds very sensible, doesn't it? So why don't I move there?
Am I still trapped in an individual, materialistic mentality where I don't really want to share that much? Am I still so concerned with my privacy and protecting my own resources that I'm somewhat scared by this idea? I enjoy the common spaces at work. I enjoy a healthy social life, but do I want it 24/7?
On the other hand, wouldn't I be saving a bundle, making less of an impact on the environment, creating a constructive community, and all the rest of it? It's hard to weigh the options. And where is the middle ground?
I live in a neighborhood where more and more 20-30's people are moving in. It's an emerging, nice and affordable part of town. How can I help develop positive community spirit within my own neighborhood?