Everyone knows that urban living is less impactful on the environment, but if you’ve lived in a city, you also know that it’s important to get your fix of open space and nature – especially in a city like New York City. That’s why projects like the High Line, where they literally took an old abandoned rail track and converted it into a gorgeous elevated park are both so interesting and so important.
I visited it when I was in NYC a month ago, and can vouch for the fact that it is amazing. It’s beautiful and unique and just fits into the urban landscape in such a seamless way.
Take a look at the High Line website for more info and photos. Also fascinating is the story about how it came to be. Take a look!
On my first trip to Paris, I visited an apartment which had a grass balcony. It was amazing – like going out into a park, but 5 stories up.  Today, there’s a growing movement to put green gardens on roofs. Why? Because they can:
- Increase the life of your roof
- Save energy for cooling in summer, and heating in the winter
- Reduce noise
- Help improve air quality
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Look bitchin’
Before you go off and plant some sod on your roof, you should know that they’re not exactly easy to install – according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, they consist of, “a high quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants.”So they are a somewhat complex, and perhaps mostly suited for larger buildings, although there are some who are pioneering planting them on residential buildings.But if you’re interested, the really good news is that cities like New York  and Chicago are offering tax credits for installing green roofs.  Regardless, it’s really fascinating and gorgeous stuff. Take a look!Â
JB just posted yesterday about her dreams of a yard, and a mower to go with it. Well, JB, don’t get a gas mower!
According to the EPA, gas mowers use 800 million gallons of gas annually and account for five percent of U.S. air pollution.
Because of this, according to one of our favorite new blogs, the Dwell Daily Blog, several cities are hosting an exchange program that allows residents to trade gas mowers for an eco-friendly alternative at a reduced price: the battery-powered Neuton CE 5.2.
Ah, but hold the phone! As it turns out, according to researchers at the University of Florida, even battery powered electric mowers cause plenty of pollution – mostly when producing the battery, and when those same batteries are not disposed of properly. (it’s the same reason that you shouldn’t necessarily replace your perfectly good car with a hybrid)
Their suggestion? Buy a corded mower – there’s no battery, and the only energy you use is the energy to run the mower.
I’ve been thinking about selling my townhome and buying a house that actually has a yard. A YARD! Can you imagine the possibilities? I can grow my own vegetables! I can have a place to sit outside!
Well, with a yard comes great responsibilities. That is, taking care of the lawn. I grew up in the midwest where our family had a pretty decent size yard (about a half an acre) and I have to admit, I never once touched a lawn mower. I am such a princess.
Anyway, I’m kind of excited about the possibility of having my own lawn to take care of – and have been thinking about push mowers. Paul thinks that this is not a good idea because he believes they would be hard to push, but I hear this is not really true anymore.
Another option would be to get an electric mower – at least this would still cut down on the pollution.
Anyone have any experience with either? Recommendations would be appreciated!
I’m a huge fan of plants. They perk up a room, they filter the air, give off oxygen… What’s not to love?
Anyway, I have some house plants and of the things that’s been driving me nuts is finding NON-UGLY planters that also do not weigh a gajillion (yeah, that’s a word) pounds. The more aesthetically pleasing planters are typically made of some ceramic or terracotta, and if you have a large houseplant that requires a large planter, well, good luck moving that thing.
For me, being a delicate little lady (ha!), I prefer lightweight materials so I can move my plants about freely and easily. There have definitely been some innovations in planters in recent years – there’s more variety in the “lightweight” category - materials like resin and fiberglass are becoming more common. One company that I recently came across — EcoForms — even makes their planters out of renewable grain husks and natural binding agents. They’re billed as an alternative to plastic (who doesn’t love that?) and claim to be durable and lighweight (woo hoo!).
Does anyone have any experience with these products, or any of similar nature? If so, drop me a line!
