“How’s the house coming, Trish?”
People keep asking me that.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and apparently neither will my Greenspiration Home. But let’s face it; this is as much about the journey as it is the destination. That said, I am pleased to report that we are just days from breaking ground. Hallelujah!
I had originally planned to make my first journal entry on that elusive ground breaking day, however my recent experience as a guest speaker at the annual NAELS (National Association of Environmental Law Societies) Annual Conference at the Vermont Law School convinced me not to wait any longer.
I was invited to speak at this conference about my experiences as a homeowner endeavoring to build green. I delivered my presentation: Greenspiration: How to Have Your Home and GREEN It Too to approximately 85 environmental law students, professors, and other NAELS attendees on March 22 at the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, VT.
…I suddenly understood precisely why I was there.
I was thrilled to be asked to speak, but skeptical about my relevance to the overall conference, which included presentations from esteemed scientists, authors, and professors about hard hitting topics like climate change and global water shortages. After all, I’m just a soccer mom who happens to be building a green home. True, I’m up to my ears in decisions about everything from recycled grey water to sustainable roofing materials, but what could I possibly teach these earnest young law students who already knew far more about state of the environment than I do?
After sitting through the first day of workshops, horrified by photos of continental sized masses of floating plastics in the Pacific and the far reaching and immediate impact of global warming, I suddenly understood precisely why I was there. These environmental law students, burdened with more facts about ozone depletion than most of us could bear, desperately need to believe they can make a difference. Part of that is their need to know that the people back home—the moms and dads everywhere-- actually care. The enthusiastic, gracious reception I received before, during, and after my presentation made it clear how important it is for these dedicated young law students to know that we want to hold up our end of the bargain when it comes to environmental stewardship.
They weren’t hoping for a miracle—just a sign. Even if it came in the shape of a soccer mom.
I participated in Day 2 of the conference which was billed as the “Solutions” day. I was one of several speakers who spoke not about legislative solutions that take years–even decades-- to enact, but a host of “micro-solutions” that don’t require any acts of congress.
Listening to Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont deliver a very frank but motivational key note address, I had a revelation: Government moves slowly. (Duh!)
But the freedom to make better choices and to share what we learn in the process is here and now. And that IS what Greenspiration is all about! Peers listen to peers! The ladies I play tennis with probably won’t pick up a copy of the ASHRAE Journal, but they do listen with interest when I talk about the fact that my Greenspiration home, which will look as good as any in the neighborhood, won’t use any fossil fuel. And something tells me that as fuel prices continue to rise, they’ll be listening even closer.
So, many thanks to the students and faculty at the Vermont Law School—not just for inviting me to speak, but for showing such genuine interest in this project. I couldn’t have been more impressed or more inspired by my weekend among all of you.
Other Entries
Ode to the Great Seamstresses of World - Journal Entry - 02/28/09
Sleuthing the Noise in Our Ventilation - Journal Entry - 02/27/09
My Greenspiration Valentine - Journal Entry - 02/19/09
"SEAMED" Like a Good Idea at the Time: - Journal Entry - 01/20/09
Floors to "DYE" For. - Journal Entry - 01/15/09
A Funny Story about Our Kitchen Lighting…. - Journal Entry - 01/05/09
Happy New Year Greenspiration Voyeurs! - Journal Entry - 01/01/09
I.O.U. Journal Entries! - Journal Entry - 12/18/08
If Walls Could Talk, These Would Say, “I look MAVALOUS!”- Journal Entry - 11/27/08
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda- Journal Entry - 11/22/08
Name that Geothermal Unit!- Journal Entry - 10/24/08
This part of the construction process goes fast. - Journal Entry - 10/19/08
Okay, so we’re finally registered for LEED-H - Journal Entry - 10/08/08
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." - Jounal Entry - 09/16/08
It’s been a tense couple of weeks for Greenspiration. - Journal Entry - 08/11/08
A lot can happen in a couple of weeks. - Journal Entry - 07/04/08
Groundbreaking: A Tree Leans On Greenspiration - Journal Entry - 05/31/08
"How's the house coming, Trish?" - Journal Entry - 03/31/08
