Talking About Green

There is an old saying that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Today, those words might have an entirely different meaning. Going green is not about hair dye or turning yourself into a green monster; it is a revolution to save our planet earth. Everywhere I look, talk about going green, or saving the planet is touted as a new concept.

From my experience, as one who has worked with the elderly who need stair lift for the elderly support and as one who remembers old family history; this is not really a new concept but a very old one. Looking after the planet was on the minds of many people groups and cultures that we who study them today, have declared them somehow “less than” or beneath us great ones today.

Today we have gadgets, and technical advances and achievements. Do we really have better “knowledge” than the feet that walked these grounds long ago? Just ask anyone from even the years of the Depression about the value of working hard yet preserving the lands for future generations. I don’t know about you, but maybe these wise ones still with us, are not so backwards or weak despite the outer appearances. Maybe my grandmothers and grandfathers did not use the word “Green”, but they sure knew how to conserve and cared about the land and others.

They were working for a better future for the ones who would follow in their footsteps. I don’t know what your interests are, but I have always loved history. Native Americans certainly knew how to maintain their lands while also living off the land, giving back. I remember Arbor Day while in the Girl Scouts, we planted trees. With all that said then, I believe the “Back to Green” movement is a wonderful way to make our world a better place. What is really great about the whole thing is that people in interior design, fashion, and artists are and have been involved. What that means is now we have creative individuals along with many other job categories that at one time might seem so different than artistic, more logical or whatever one may have described it. Now I am observing the engineers, painters, home builders, manufactures of various technical things that we rely on today, teaming up with artists, and craftspeople to create an array of skillfully designed homes, clothing, and many other objects of daily living. The styles are not boring anymore. The looks coming out today are both old and new, eclectic with natural soothing color pallets.

The use of Eco-friendly paints and natural fabrics and woods have also helped to create a whole new group of jobs. There are even green educators out there. Who knew? I find the new style trends fascinating. I can combine different themes, be “green”, and it can come out looking tasteful and natural. Bedrooms are looking peaceful with serenity overtones. Bathrooms are luxurious yet water conserving. Natural woods such as bamboo and carpets made with corn-based polymers are being utilized.

What all this means is less trash, more recycling being utilized. Even paints are being made that release no harmful toxins or odors into the air. This also means we can use the painted room earlier! So much safer around children. Of course initial change takes time, effort, and money. However, the long-term effects, I and many others believe, will outweigh all that. After all, are we not to care for the land? Recently, there was a bill in Florida that was proposed to deregulate interior design. Many came together, rallied and won…..for us. Footprints.