You hear us talk a lot about living more sustainably here at West 5. We not only talk about it, we make an effort to live it every day. Sustainable living is the very foundation upon which the West 5 community was built. But, for those of you who are just beginning the journey towards a greener lifestyle, you may be wondering – just what is sustainable living, and why is it so important?
Sustainable living, in a nutshell, means living in a way that reduces your use of the earth’s natural resources. You can do this in many ways, walking instead of driving, reducing your energy consumption, and eating locally grown organic foods. But, why do you need to? Here are just a few reasons:
For the planet
Because of the increase of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere caused primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, we’re seeing changes in long-term weather patterns and an overall increase in the earth’s temperature. By making small daily choices such as walking or riding your bike instead of driving, you can play a big role in helping to reverse this climate change.
For your health
Choosing locally grown organic foods means you get to enjoy fresher, tastier, nutrient-rich foods. It also means that you’re supporting the local economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions required to transport your food. Buying fresh food from local farmers’ markets or growing your own in a backyard container garden connects you to the community and also means less packaging and energy needed for processing.
For Savings
By choosing to live in a sustainable, energy efficient community like West 5, you’ll be reducing your water consumption with low flow toilets and showerheads, reducing the cost of heating by approximately 30% over the course of a year with SMART thermostats, and reducing your energy consumption with EnergyStar appliances and LED lighting. All of this adds up to significant savings.
For the Future Generations
By reducing, reusing and recycling, you’re diverting waste from the landfill, reducing pollution and ensuring that generations to come will be able to enjoy those carefree days outdoors just like you did.
For Peace of Mind
By living more sustainably, you’re allowing yourself to reconnect with nature. Time spent in nature is proven to reduce stress and improve our overall mood. Something as simple as a walk among the trees or smelling the flowers is enough to clear the mind and reset the day.
