How can we be Environmentally responsible to Mother Earth

Nattusbs · Sep 30th, 2009, 22:02

Hi all

I got the idea to start this thread from a couple of IMmers in the "what can I build for 5 Lakhs.." - JonathanS and Aupmanyav actually.

The concern is simple.

Many of us want to build a simple place in the Hills. Given the interest level, and not just from IMers, what can we do to set an example of "environmentally-friendly" place as opposed to more concrete structures?

Rather, is there something we can do? What are the options?

One of my suggestions is that there needs to be a change in attitude. The common approaches that many people have in India are:

1. It is not my problem.
2. He/she is doing it, so why can't I?
3. It is the government's problem (to fix....).

Let me throw out a crazy idea.

It has to do with a paradigm shift. This means that we take away our reference system and start from a new reference system.

Can we build a "society" or "colony" without concrete structures in the Hills? One that will blend with the surroundings at the same time, be safe, sound and comfortable?

Let us focus this thread on this topic and generate some ideas. Maybe, and I will not be surprised, we can collectively come up with something that will "make a difference".

Cheers

Nattusbs

Hal · Oct 1st, 2009, 01:50

Wood from sustainable or farmed sources would be a natural choice. I imagine it would be considerably more expensive than the typical concrete structure, though.

Concrete does have many advantages if it's used and designed right. For one, it's a great heat sink for passive solar heating.

The other thing that will have a great impact is heating. Wood heat? Are the structures insulated?

brishti · Oct 9th, 2009, 17:13

this is for all them wondrous IM gurus of one-liners...

for whatever its worth -
help make banners for the climate summit

:brishti

dunagiri · Nov 7th, 2009, 15:12

There are many ways to be environmentally conscious and still build very good strong buildings. Making use of local age old building practices with stone and locally harvested wood...seems the logical answer. Wonderful places are being builtin Kumaon, using a combination of traditional building and modern technology...creating thoughtful structures that respect both tradition, environment and sense of beauty.

narayanvee · Nov 9th, 2009, 21:26

There are really many ways to be environmentally responsible to mother earth. But who cares! Our greed and one upmanship feeling has done enough damage.As many people have already said this is not he eleventh hour it is eleven hours and fifty five minutes and we have to hurry. It is not just about concrete buildings but we have to have a very wider perspective.There are many small things which count- do not waste water as it is so precious- do not pollute water sources by throwing wastes- havest rain water so that the undergound sources are recharged- control the use of fossil fuel so that we pollut the air as little as possible- use paper to the minimum and reuse envelopes and one side printed paper-more paper means more treas are cut. A tree means many years of growth so control the use of wood and timber- the earth belongs not only to us but to the future generations and so do not plunder the resources and limit our wants- we are just one species on this planet and nobody has given us a righ to destroy anything here.Finally if we do not control ourselves nature has many ways to do that as we are not essntial for this planet but this planet is essential to us-Oh! much more to say. but already it is too long
Narayanvee

Sep 30th, 2009, 22:02	#1
Nattusbs Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: IIT-Kharagpur Posts: 658	How can we be Environmentally responsible to Mother Earth Hi all I got the idea to start this thread from a couple of IMmers in the "what can I build for 5 Lakhs.." - JonathanS and Aupmanyav actually. The concern is simple. Many of us want to build a simple place in the Hills. Given the interest level, and not just from IMers, what can we do to set an example of "environmentally-friendly" place as opposed to more concrete structures? Rather, is there something we can do? What are the options? One of my suggestions is that there needs to be a change in attitude. The common approaches that many people have in India are: 1. It is not my problem. 2. He/she is doing it, so why can't I? 3. It is the government's problem (to fix....). Let me throw out a crazy idea. It has to do with a paradigm shift. This means that we take away our reference system and start from a new reference system. Can we build a "society" or "colony" without concrete structures in the Hills? One that will blend with the surroundings at the same time, be safe, sound and comfortable? Let us focus this thread on this topic and generate some ideas. Maybe, and I will not be surprised, we can collectively come up with something that will "make a difference". Cheers Nattusbs Last edited by Nattusbs : Sep 30th, 2009 at 22:05. Reason: typos

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Oct 1st, 2009, 01:50	#2
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,303	Wood from sustainable or farmed sources would be a natural choice. I imagine it would be considerably more expensive than the typical concrete structure, though. Concrete does have many advantages if it's used and designed right. For one, it's a great heat sink for passive solar heating. The other thing that will have a great impact is heating. Wood heat? Are the structures insulated?

Oct 9th, 2009, 17:13	#3
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,690	this is for all them wondrous IM gurus of one-liners... for whatever its worth - help make banners for the climate summit :brishti

Nov 7th, 2009, 15:12	#4
dunagiri Dunagiri Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NY, US Posts: 12	There are many ways to be environmentally conscious and still build very good strong buildings. Making use of local age old building practices with stone and locally harvested wood...seems the logical answer. Wonderful places are being builtin Kumaon, using a combination of traditional building and modern technology...creating thoughtful structures that respect both tradition, environment and sense of beauty.

Nov 9th, 2009, 21:26	#5
narayanvee Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calicut-Kerala Posts: 5	There are really many ways to be environmentally responsible to mother earth. But who cares! Our greed and one upmanship feeling has done enough damage.As many people have already said this is not he eleventh hour it is eleven hours and fifty five minutes and we have to hurry. It is not just about concrete buildings but we have to have a very wider perspective.There are many small things which count- do not waste water as it is so precious- do not pollute water sources by throwing wastes- havest rain water so that the undergound sources are recharged- control the use of fossil fuel so that we pollut the air as little as possible- use paper to the minimum and reuse envelopes and one side printed paper-more paper means more treas are cut. A tree means many years of growth so control the use of wood and timber- the earth belongs not only to us but to the future generations and so do not plunder the resources and limit our wants- we are just one species on this planet and nobody has given us a righ to destroy anything here.Finally if we do not control ourselves nature has many ways to do that as we are not essntial for this planet but this planet is essential to us-Oh! much more to say. but already it is too long Narayanvee