Driving down the freeway the other day going towards Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, I noticed that the roads department were installing high tension steel cables as barriers. My very first thought was that it was really nice of them to protect the trees from cars hitting them. Maybe I am right? If the drivers didn't do irrational things in their cars, then the trees wouldn't need barriers to protect them!
Every time I walk to the Gym on Sunday morning for exercise rehab, I am always gazing up at the roof tops as I power walk my way down the road. Why, I hear you ask? Certainly not because I am admiring my neighbours homes. It is to determine the best houses that solar panels would work on, of course. As I live in the Southern hemisphere the north roof get direct sun and the bigger the roof, the bigger the system. There is nothing quite like a big north facing, unshaded roof. I even comment to Kim (my wife) when we drive past massive warehouses and factories, that they should have solar panels on them, or at least have a big rainwater tank connected. Is it just me?
When it is windy, I don't complain. I just wish I had a wind turbine. When it rains, I don't complain. I just dream of having more space for a larger rainwater tank, and think that the veggie patch is loving all this extra water.
When I see a green lawn, I just want to rip it up and plant vegetables. Where others see weeds, I see food for my compost bins or chickens. Where others see empty jars, I see jam receptacles. Where others see empty beer bottles, I think of my next batch of home brew beer! Where others throw away lumber, I see chicken houses. Where other see pretty city lights at night, I see dangerous carbon emissions. My green thoughts just keep on coming.
The 3R's have become an obsession, to the point of if I can't use it, I try and find another person who might use the item. Nothing elevates my blood pressure faster than someone putting a recyclable item into the general waste bin at work. It is not like the co-mingled recycle bin is not right next to it with a great big label or anything!
Anyway, enough of my unusual thoughts, because I could go on forever listing the weird green ways that I ponder each day. Am I alone in this behaviour or do our readers also have random green moments of insanity like I do? I would love for your to share your "out there" think with us. Don't be shy!
21 comments:
Gavin, I can't help but laugh when reading your posts. I see myself so many times in what you say. It is unreal. When we drive down the road, I see and wish for huge piles of manure going to waste out in a pile, not being used for anything. I hate seeing that. Pop tells folks, others worry about their wives looking at other men, but no worry with me. All I notice and wish for, when we are out and about, is these types of things, like the mulch or manure piles not being utilized.
I am still struggling to find my way in all that I want to do and the knowledge I have as it collides with my lack of time. With an almost 3 year old and 7 mo old twins I don't have many hands free moments to even get the basics around the house done but yet I can't bear to throw away plastic yogurt containers or ice cream tubs and such. Why throw away such perfect, seed starting containers, homemade play dough containers, and craft supplies! So they accumulate by the dirty dishes. Then they accumulate on the basement stairs then in the basement. I am eternally hopeful I will have time to utilize these things for the projects I envision. Then part of me hates that I even have them...why am I not yet making my own yogurt! I have so many of my own projects in waiting that only lack for time. Even so my eyes stray to roadsides for fruit going to waste or usable items that would be perfect for ??? My other struggle is with how my family eats. I know better but we just aren't there yet and some weeks we eat worse than anyone I know. BUT the bright spot is that I have plenty of time to read blogs like this (while nursing) that keep me inspired to do what I can and keep giving me knowledge and inspiration for the day that I do have my hands free to work like mad!
The biggest thing I think I see that others don't is underutilized land. The fruit trees and gardens that could be. The fence that is calling for a grape vine.
I once wrote a letter to my local newspaper complaining about the plethora and waste of houses dripping with Christmas lights and blow-up Santas. I even made an effort to calculate the cost and wattage waste based on the percentage of festooned homes. Some large McMansions had huge setups installed by their summer gardeners who had discovered a new way to earn money in winter. Extreme environmentalist or merely Scrooge, you decide.
I think more and more of us are thinking the same way you are Gavin- the problem is that we ALL need to be thinking the way you do.
It would also be helpful if the alternative energy equipment wasn't so darned expensive and the red tape for getting it installed wasn't quite so long. My husband and I chose the house we bought (built in '76, so we're recycling!) because its long axis is oriented east and west so the long back roof of the house is facing directly south. Our first goal is to replace the current asphalt roof with a standing seam metal roof so that we can harvest rainwater. Then we might be able to afford a solar water heater. But we're also resigned to the fact that at our age and with the prohibitive price of solar panels, we'll probably never be able to afford to install them, because we don't have the necessary lifespan for realizing the payback. So, we work on lowering our electrical use instead. But too bad, huh? Maybe someday they'll (solar panels) be affordable.
@Paula -- there is some "law" about the price of technology that says something to the effect of 'each generation of technology, the price halves'. Even now, solar panels and such are drastically cheaper than the previous generation. I've even seen some set up at Sam's Warehouse! I have no idea how old you are... but I'm guessing that in 5 to 10 years, solar panels will be affordable to the average middle class homeowner.
As for water collection. I put buckets under each inward facing corner on our roof, even though we have a traditional asphalt roof. I get some bits and pieces, but rain is rain -- so says my thought, and as the tight wad I am, I'll take it. Can't be any worse than the alkaline liquid from the water hose, I figure.
Gavin -- I'm with you. I'm a little more about saving money so I can spend it on what I really want, but it makes me so angry to see the waste of my neighbors and in my city.
Me, I can't help thinking about all the spare bits of land I see when I drive around.
I see a park, and think "why don't they plant some fruit and nut trees there?".
I look at the long strip of grass between the dual carriageway, and wonder how much corn or grain could be grown in there.
I see the long grass growing alongside roads, and wish I could come along and scythe it and take it home for composting.
I see an empty lot with a boat parked on it, and wonder who owns it and why they haven't done anything with it for the past 30 years. Surely they could have just thrown some useful trees on it and be basking in their productivity by now?
When people tell me we need genetic engineering and factory farming because we don't have enough arable land to feed ourselves otherwise, I wonder if they can even see all the wasted land around our towns and cities. Surely they can't be that ignorant?
You're not alone.
My carport is full of timber that might come in handy one day, my garage is full of boxes, cages, computers, packing material that might be able to be reused one day, my shed is full of containers, string, pots, nets, pallets, wire etc etc that might be useful in the garden, my pantry is groaning with old jars for preserving......
It's a bit like living in the Council Tip but you can be sure that as soon as you get rid of something you will need it!
You made me smile when reading your post Gavin. We have only been in our house on 4 acres just over 4 years but in that time I have planted well over 20 fruit trees and have the veg garden well and going.....I always look outside and think about how many more fruit trees I can fit in and where I can plant the native fruit forest then get frustrated when I visit family when they have lovely large ornamental gardens but say they have no where to fit in a veg garden or fruit trees! Unfortunately the cost of solar is a little beyond us at the moment but we are getting there slowly. There is so much waste and wasted space around us yet so many have the time to complain about the rising cost of food, electricity etc. If only they could get outside from their tv's and other games, get a shovel and dig up those ornamentals and plant a veg/fruit tree or two they would be so much better in so many ways. I'm hearing you! It changes they way you view the world doesn't it.
Susieq.
My thoughts go like this...
Using toilet paper: "Maybe I should get those old flanelette sheets out and make cloth wipes?" (Not every time, but alot of the time!)
Turning on the tap: "Gosh the person who invented running water was clever. But if we didn't have taps, maybe we'd have less water waste."
Putting scraps into the scrap bin: "It's not waste, it's future compost. And when we get chickens, can I give this to them instead?"
When looking over the fence at the neighbours unkempt backyard: "One day I will rent it from them & grow a huge food forest there!"
I think changing your perspective is one of the BIGGEST changes we need to make..
they should have solar panels on them, or at least have a big rainwater tank connected. Is it just me?
no! just last week we were walking through one of the eastern suburbs of melbourne (possibly croydon north), and when we came to the top of a rise we were treated to the view of a sea of north-facing rooftops . . . and only one had solar panels.
Thanks to all who shared, and I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks this way.
Where waste seems to be the norm, it is nice to see others notice the green potential as well.
Gav
I am totally on the same page. I have many of the same thoughts. The 3Rs are almost like an obsession as well. My boyfriend calls me a packrat. My retort is, there's not a thing I've ever saved for Re-use that I haven't found a good use for. And I recycle everything possible.
And the recycle bins at work! Ugh! Me too - I'm constantly pulling things out of the trash and putting them in the labeled bin which is, yes, of course right next to the trash can. I even leave the item right on top or sticking out in the hope that whoever threw it out will see it sticking out of the CORRECT bin next time they happen in the kitchen.
I often find relief in knowing that other people like myself exist (you! other wonderful readers who have commented). Keep up the good fight and don't think you're crazy. WE are what SHOULD be the "norm".
Ever since we got the chickens two months ago I love walking down to their coop each morning before work and throwing them the food scraps from the night before.
So much easier and by far more satisfying than composting!
Nope your not alone, and thank you for your post. I though it was just me too.
Now when I start talking about my wishes and plans and those around me get that look on their faces, I will imagine you there backing me up.
I'm with Darren, wanting to scythe random grass verges and grow stuff in the margins. I'm always looking for possibilities - "if I lived there I'd do x, y and z" or spotting stuff to salvage from skips when I'm out and about.
I've always been a hoarder and about four years ago, we set up a reuse & recycling website (called Recycle This - http://www.recyclethis.co.uk) about how to reuse/recycle random things -- things with potential but things you need a little help getting inspired about. It gave me more of an excuse to store things because now, thanks to the Recycle This community's great ideas, I now how loads of ways to reuse just about everything!
One thing I will say though is don't forget that storing stuff has a cost. I love storing things for later reusing/recycling but it has a mental cost (remembering what you've got and where it is when you need it), sometimes a physical cost (not being able to get to things) and sometimes a financial cost too - having to build/acquire extra storage space or even higher car insurance if you can't park it in your full-of-stuff garage. Those things aren't enough to put me off hoarding but it's worth considering them when we add our hundredth jar to the collection in the shed.
Oh yes, I often am found coveting the weeds and nettles growing in front yards on the walk to school. the chooks have made short work of "weeds" in my backyard.
It was all I could do not to jump into the bins at kindy last week when the kids made face sandwiches with veggies, most of which ended up in a bin with the disposable plates. Next time I am having a word with the director and supplying a scrap bin for my chooks!
Christmas lights. I just can't enjoy them anymore. I try to hold on to the pagan thought that they are an ancient celebration of the sun and light returning but the reality is that they are plastic and using up energy.
:-(
I also relate to Kate (above) who can't throw out her yoghurt tubs. My eventual solution was to give the excess to the nursery. A bit of a cop-out but they will be used for crafts/arts and maybe even gardening!
You're not insane, Gavin, as you well know. Just still a minority...
Karen (Scotland)
I'm that person wanting to rip out lawns and turn them into gardens, especially when I see that they get great sun! The temptation increases when the homeowners are wasting water to create the "perfect lawn!"
Oh, I see myself in many ways even though I live in the Midwest of the USA.
I find myself looking for solar hot water systems and panels on rooftops, and the nice thing is that in Sydney solar hot water is not that unusual any more. The panels are still rare, but I've been told that a 1 KW system only costs about $5000 these days. I remember when they were four times that!
I find myself looking for solar hot water systems and panels on rooftops, and the nice thing is that in Sydney solar hot water is not that unusual any more. The panels are still rare, but I've been told that a 1 KW system only costs about $5000 these days. I remember when they were four times that!
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