Book Review: Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House

BOOK REVIEW: 
Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House 

by Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner
280 pages 

Green remodeling is a hot topic nowadays, but too often the focus is primarily on substituting new green products for conventional ones. But being green is much more than that! 

To truly reduce our shared impact on the earth (and be smart about costs), we need to step back and explore how we can green the project not just the products.

That's why I was so delighted to find Natural Remodeling, which lays out a step-by-step process for "bringing your home into harmony with nature." The benefits of this approach, the authors say, include increased satisfaction, more opportunities to green economically, and a restored connection to the living world.

From the outset, it's clear something different is going on here. An early page describes why, contrary to common thinking, renovating a current home is usually more green than building a new green one, because it leverages the natural resources already used, existing community connections, and more.

Reconnecting to photography in the digital age

As long as I remember, I've had a camera and delighted in taking and sharing pictures of friends, nature scenes, and more. So I was heartbroken five years ago, when a repair person told me that my long-time favorite (Nikon) camera could not be resurrected. Nikon no longer had that category of camera any more, so I sighed and bought another brand. But I never liked the quality of its pictures much, so I felt like I'd just been hobbling with it for years.

Thus it was a true thrill for me a few months ago when I finally bought a digital point-and-shoot camera! I'd been wanting to buy a digital until we were past the high-priced first generation, but hadn't been sure what to buy. There were so many options. And how good was the quality? I'd been taking digital pics with my iPod Touch for about a year, and had gotten some decent shots, but it just whet my appetite for a better quality option.

My breakthrough in this process came when I found a wonderful salesperson at a local store (Best Buy) who walked me through my decision-making process, to figure out the best option for my needs and priorities. What a blessing! And finally a shiny new (Canon) camera was in my hands!

Since then, I confess I've been a little bit of a picture-taking demon. Giddy just to pull out my camera. Sometimes taking hundreds of pictures in a couple hours. Thrilled to share them with people. Bouncy inside like a little kid. And, wow, it's amazing the quality one can get nowadays in a reasonably-priced digital camera!

Writing as a blood sport

After the excitement of finally getting my blog setup and posting my introductory entries, I turned my attention back to the other tasks that I'd put aside. 

Still, in the back of my mind I wondered what exactly my posts here would start to look like. I knew that I'd have a tendency to write pieces similar to what I already do in my articles, newsletters, and Facebook page. But I started this blog to create a new type of venue for myself. I wanted to explore NEW things! So what was that going to look like?

About my eco-writing approach

As I look at how to introduce myself to new folks in this blog setting, I realize that I've never written out and shared the principles that guide my approach. I've actually given them some thought and refined them over the years, and I think they're pretty cool. I hope you do too!

When I started on my eco-writing path in 1992, I felt that too often my eco-passionate peers were (understandably) focused on ringing the alarm bell but didn't realize the feeling they were generating in their readers and listeners. Too often they talked in ways that were frightening, shaming, and blaming, which left people feeling depressed and discouraged, turning away folks who otherwise would want to understand and take action. 

I felt that I could offer a different kind of style that was upbeat, inspiring, accurate, collaborative, and most importantly empowering. My premise is that most people aren't apathetic or cold-hearted, that they want to do the right thing, but they often just don't know what to do, and how to integrate actions into their otherwise busy lives. I felt that my natural writing style would be helpful in meeting those needs. 

Thus these have become the principles I seek to embody in my writing, speaking, and community action:

How I got started on my eco-writing path

Growing up, I never expected to be doing what I am now, writing about eco-issues and seeking to help nurture positive change in my culture. I'm as surprised as anyone! But I'm also thrilled that somehow, though the path has certainly been rocky, I've been able to carve out a way to contribute to a better world.

I say that my eco-writing path officially began in 1992. At that point, I'd been a professional writer and trainer for about 10 years, and had recently moved into a wonderful cottage in the country, nestled on the edge of a valley. Just breath-taking! But then one day, I had a horrifying headache, unlike any I had ever experienced. I looked out the window and saw a huge machine pumping toxic chemicals into the air, running back and forth along the apple trees, as the toxics drifted towards my porch. Eek! 

The toxics made me sick, so I researched what they were, and found out that the impacts were indeed serious — for me, the local critters and eco-systems — even the farmers! But when I looked at how to stop it, I found out that there was little real recourse, that this was just normal and accepted. Really?!

Welcome to my new blog!

Hi – My name is Patricia Dines, and I’ve been an eco-writer, educator, and activist for nearly 20 years. One of my key missions is to provide useful information that empowers constructive action for the earth. One way I do that is through my Ask EcoGirl project, which includes a monthly eco-advice column, “insanely useful” informational booklets, and a Facebook page for ongoing eco-information and tips.

So now I’ve decided to add a blog to EcoGirl’s activities, as a place for me to share more of what I find on my journey, including my experiences seeking to be green, working as a writer, and exploring ways that I seek to help steer our culture's away from disaster and towards our better selves. I’ll also pass along other people’s good tips and insights and invite readers to share their constructive thoughts as well.

So why do I say “adventures” in my blog subtitle? Certainly not because I’ll be doing dangerous feats of physical derring-do (oh my!). I include it because I think that we have a chance to participate in one of the greatest adventures human beings can have: being on the leading edge of culture change at a crucial time in the world’s history.