Lately, it’s all about green, green, green; the color? No! The environment, obviously. But is that all there is? Maybe it is time to combine the two. Can’t we be “green” with pinks, yellows and oranges? FIDER knows what’s up. They are making it a requirement for all interior design students to learn and have a good understanding of what sustainability means. Though they are not making sustainability a mandatory aspect of design, at least the students are being educated about it. I’m sure you’ll agree when I say: this is a small step in the right direction.
Luckily, design students are not the only college goers with sustainability awareness. Oberlin College conducted a huge experiment proving that if students know their levels of energy use, they are more likely to cut it down; granted it was made into a contest for motivational purposes, but it’s still legit. Now, you may say, “So what? If it was a contest, it means nothing, anyone will do something for a prize”, but that’s simply not the underlying point.
A little knowledge goes a long way. People will care for the environment when taught about its importance and needs. If everyone knew all the simple, little things we can do to help sustain our resources, small gestures of sustainability would have a huge impact. Prove to me otherwise, and then we can talk. It’s about those that are making a difference, not those that are not. So, take a look around. Need a new color scheme? Is it time for you to call a knowledgeable interior designer? I mean… green isn’t all bad…
- Monica
Editor’s Note: This post is one in a series published by students in the Sustainability Learning Community at KU. Additional posts from this series can be found under “LC” on the Categories list.
Ashlee said,
November 20, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I agree that it is really important for everyone to be educated on the impacts we have on the environment and simple steps that we can make to improve them. I think it needs to be emphasized as more than just a “trend”, but as a way of life. People will begin to care if only they knew. This was the first year I really took the time to learn about sustainability and I never imagined myself doing anything about it, but now I am making personal steps in my life to help make a difference. Everyone can do so.
-Ashlee
Julie Thomas said,
November 23, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I think this is a really great blog post that can be taken even further from interior to the exterior of buildings too. It reminds me of what they are doing in Greensburg, KS where they are re-building the buildings completely green, inside and out. If you have to start over why not start over the right way. Obviously we are not all going to tear don our houses and rebuild them from scratch but people redecorate all the time, so why not redecorate green?
-Julie