The Goal of sustainability
The ideal of sustainability is a compromise between those extreme environmentalists who push for zero growth or development and those who want unlimited and unhindered economic progress without regard for future generation. The nexus of sustainability is informed by economic development, social progress, and environmental responsibility, and to use resources in a way that does not deplete them faster than they can be reproduced. This is not only personally beneficial, but the highest value should be put on achieving this goal to solve some of our current social and environmental issues. This responsible use of resources was achieved for many centuries by civilizations of the past and this afforded them a sustainable autonomy, and just like it was for them, sustainability is once more becoming a necessity for our generation. The homes that we live in are central to our lives, and the main financial investment of most people, this makes the housing industry connected to many global issues. The most widely recognized among them is our current environmental crisis which will have drastic negative impacts in our lifetime, and resource and energy conscious construction is one of the most effective paths towards reducing environmental impact. In general, sustainable options and the high costs associated with them aren't seen as a viable option for many people. This website is dedicated to changing that viewpoint, and showing how making houses more sustainable not only contributes to solving environmental issues, but will result in an array of benefits from lessening financial burden to improving personal health. The methods of sustainable housing that are focused on are not the newest green technologies that are efficient yet exorbitantly expensive, the aim is to revitalize the proven sustainable methods of the past, and encourage the use of indigenous materials and provide information on options that are simplistic, inexpensive and viable for the average homeowner. This type of construction has been stigmatized and hindered by building codes and economic policy, however popular opinion is beginning to change as more and more people recognize the rapid increase in these issues and how they will impact the future. Through resources like this one it is our hope to educate the public on these alternative forms of housing and legitimize the movement of personal autonomy and sustainability within the home.
N gram Viewer
This chart depicts the rise in incidence of the term 'sustainability' being used in all books published from 1950 to the present, as you can see there is exponential rise it's use and hopefully this trend will continue.