August 4, 2018 Blog by Rob Nicely

Things We Can Do to Effect Positive Change in the Environment

At times, the challenges we face as citizens of a city, state, country and planet seem too big to scale. Unsolvable. Immovable. Overwhelming. But that couldn’t be further from reality. There are things each of us CAN do to effect positive change. Make our little part of the world better, safer, more viable. We can choose to be aware of our individual and collective impact on the environment. And not just for today. Decisions we make and actions we take now will have a lasting influence on future generations, whether positive or negative.

One thing we all CAN do is educate ourselves. Learn. Gather information from trusted resources, based on science. Open our minds to creative solutions. Support businesses that offer alternatives to products, materials and systems that protect human and environmental health. The more we invest in sustainable practices and products and conservation of finite natural resources, the better chance we have to shift demand in the right direction.

As a design-build firm, we view each home we build and the environment as living space. We have the knowledge—and are continuing to gain more—to build homes that have healthy indoor air quality, are durable and comfortable, require significantly less energy, rely on renewable resources, and produce far fewer carbon emissions that worsen the real problem of climate change. But, it’s not something we do alone. We depend on innovative individuals and organizations that create and sell building materials, technologies and systems that make the way we build feasible.

Of course, it goes beyond how we build homes to how we live in them. Opting for non-toxic cleaning and personal care products, finishes, furniture, fixtures and accessories that are sustainably made, reducing waste, reusing and recycling and looking for ways to conserve water. When we vote with our wallets, these businesses will have more resources to expand production—supply and demand at work eventually lowering costs and making these options the first choice rather than the exception.

Individuals, organizations and businesses committed to human and environmental health are gaining momentum. Learning more about them and supporting their efforts will keep us all moving in the right direction. Here are a few to check out. By the way, we have no financial interest in any of these entities. We just like, support and applaud what they’re doing. Have a business, organization or individual you’d like to recognize for their efforts to reduce negative impacts human and environmental health? Send an email to info@carmelbuilding.com.