The final days of the month of August will not be the same for my generation or the next on account of the unspeakable devastation which befell America’s Gulf Coast in 2005. However, even as the region takes small, painful steps toward recovery, we must remember some of the lessons which that disaster taught us.
Positive results? Yes, it’s true. Naturally, we don’t want any loss of life or property from wind storms but in terms of the planet’s atmosphere, hurricanes and other such tropical systems play an important role. Because the earth is round, sunshine heats the surface at different intensities each day and as the seasons change. Cyclones act as, in a way, blowing off steam to keep the atmosphere’s vital filtration system healthy. In short, hurricanes can have positive results.
Here in peninsular Florida, which in 2004 suffered devastation not unlike the Gulf region did in 2005, one couple living in the lovely coastal community of Indialantic, about an hour’s drive from my house, has taken a proactive response to the damage which killer hurricanes Frances and Jeanne inflicted on their family that year. They have taken to building a next-generation home with so much environmental sensitivity that they call it the American Standard Green Envirohome.
Mark’s and Nonnie’s home is so green that its construction is in collaboration with the U.S. Department Of Energy Building America Project, EPA Energy Star, Florida Solar Energy Center and Florida Water Star program, among others.
The best part? Mark and Nonnie decided to build green in part because they know that global warming causes hurricanes to be more destructive and numerous.
I can’t think of a greener or more appropriate response to losing one’s home to a hurricane!
My wife Catrin and I had to replace part of our fence and the roof of our Orlando home because of the same sequence of horrible storms in 2004 but we never had to leave. We resided there throughout the ordeal, just as we do today.
Let’s all take a page from the wonderful legacy which Mark and Nonnie are writing. You can be sure that I have. In fact, I just invited them to speak at Green Earth Expo 2008 coming up in May at the Orange County Convention Center. It will be the largest event of its kind with an emphasis on life in Florida and how to be greener. I can’t think of better guest speakers on that subject!
Sustainable Justice For All!
Corbett Kroehler
Ask
a Question or Leave a Comment
(0)
Digg This 
Del.icio.us