As part of our discussion we talked about structural addiction: how we are all stuck in our lifestyles constrained by the automobile or other things that we would typically rather not do if we had the choice - however our infrastructure is designed that way so we have to, whether we like it or not.
Someone in class mentioned that their boyfriend used to fix iPhones on the side as a part-time job and would sell the fixed ones for profit. Imagine fixing something instead of buying a brand new one... it might not be "as cool" as the latest and greatest gadget, but it would have more sentimental value (at the very least!) Or think about buying refurbished products - products that were once damaged or broken and are now virtually in new condition but can't be advertised as such. I used to get turned away at the very thought of buying a refurbished item...I mean, my whole mindset was about getting stuff that was "new and "cool." Now, the more I am around Professor Goldsmith and in this class, the more I think I would be perfectly okay with a refurbished product. Small things make a difference.
We talked about how fixing/remodeling/redesigning something is always more efficient and sustainable (most of the time) than the creation of something New.
To think of such a concept and how its embodied energy (energy it took altogether to create, produce, transport, etc) is so great, especially if you were to build something new or buy something new. This discussion related to the reading in a way that stood out to me. There was an illustration of a simple home remodel of a standard single family home that was remodeled and redesigned to have a two-story solar greenhouse in the front, solar panels on the roof, fruit trees and bee hives, a rain water tank, a compost box, chicken coops, ladders for harvesting and many other things. It even pointed out that you could convert the side garage into a small apartment. I just thought this was astounding! I mean, really, how conceptually simple are all these small, incremental changes? Surely they might not affect the negative aspects of climate change, but what if everyone did something like this? What if our suburban neighborhoods were actually communities where people gardened together, shared crops and produce, and helped one another like the Church is supposed to help its people just as Christ died for Us. How simple can it be? It all begins with the mindset to DO SOMETHING.
Stephen brought up an innovation that is becoming more popular in our day and age and I thought it was fascinating. He mentioned that we (people, the world) have manufactured photovoltaic shingles. These are actual roofing tiles/shingles that plug into each other as photovoltaic cells (solar panels) that can help produce energy for the structure. This kind of innovation is really encouraging to me as I am a huge advocate for renewable energy, especially solar because it is so simple to put solar panels on our homes and businesses to put energy back on the grid, but the thought or the cost pushes us away. I mostly think that it would be an investment that would eventually pay itself back.
Here's and interesting statistic my professor shared with us today:
Based on population growth today, we have to find housing/living space for one million people every five days.That definitely makes you think about how quickly our global population is increasing.
Another idea that got me thinking was Exergy. The energy that is wasted in any given process or situation. It's basically heat that is not used. It is compelling to know that about 20% of the fuel in an automobile actually moves that car. It really makes me feel how wasteful our society is in our consumption of gasoline for our cars.
