Bron Taylor’s book is an in depth analysis of what he concludes is the materialization of ‘dark green religion’ (DGR) which began with Charles Darwin’s the Origin of Species. Most organized religions are ‘anthropocentric’ which focuses on the superiority and divinity of the human species. DGR is a biocentric religion which incorporates all living species. EG ‘we abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.’
The essence of this emerging religion is a feeling that all species have a right to be here, a sense of belonging and connection to nature and a consecration of the evolutionary story. There is a belief that nature is sacred and deserving of respect.
This religion is not ‘recognized’ by the Parliament of World Religions, it does not have priests or official institutions or an officially adopted sacred text. It does have revered elders, creative leadership and texts that some claim are sacred. Rather than being ‘rescued’ from this world, it promotes a belief that everything in the biosphere is interdependent, intrinsically valuable, and sacred.
Proponents, charismatic leaders, originators of DGR are as varied as humanly possible ranging from those that are radically leftist to those that are right wing, libertarian and even anarchistic and include such leaders as Darwin, John Muir, Henry David Thoreau, Jane Goodall, Duke Kahanamoku, Paul Hawken to name a few. Paul Hawken concluded that ‘environmental activism, social justice initiatives, and indigenous culture’s resistance to globalization, all have become intertwined’ and are precipitating ‘the largest social movement in all of human history.’
Scientists (Hans Bethe, Freeman Dyson, Carl Sagan, etc), who are traditionally secular, have proclaimed “As scientists, many of us have had profound personal experiences of awe and reverence before the universe. We understand that what is regarded as sacred is more likely to be treated with care and respect. Our planetary home should be so regarded. Efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment should be infused with a vision of the sacred.”
What often creates a ‘radical’ wing of a religion is a belief in an apocalyptic vision of the world and a belief that it is a religious duty to resist the impending cataclysm. But the DGR’s apocalyptic vision is radically different than others– this is the first time in history than an expectation of the end of the known world has been grounded in environmental science.
Although DGR is not an ‘organized’ religion, or one with set rules or predetermined leaders, the values of the religion (or movement) are popping up independently throughout the world. Most religions or groups are defined by nationality, gender, regional or ethnic differences. This religion has been overlooked as a religion because it emphasizes the commonalities, connections and bridges. Bron Taylor concludes …’everywhere I find the same thing: people with wildly different backgrounds sharing “dark green” perceptions and values…They sometimes feel isolated and alone. But best they can, in their own ways, and against long odds, they stand up for life. “
]]>Taylor ‘clarifies a belief system which many people adhere to, and in doing so provides an ethical framework for making decisions, especially about the environment and about our relationship to it.’ Dark green religion is defined as ‘the belief that nature is sacred, has intrinsic value, and deserves reverent care.’ ‘DGR may be a new phrase, but Taylor shows that it is an ancient force that has been rumbling in the depths of human consciousness for centuries.’ ‘The real possibility of DGR becoming a dominant force of world change is considered in the book’s final pages.’
When I return from my pilgrimage, I will write my own review of this book. Who knows, when I return, I may still be a regular ‘tree hugger’, but I will certainly be an ‘enlightened’ one.
]]>The other situation I run in to is a lack of communication and/or organization that results in emergency decisions. One in five people that call me for design services start off the conversation "My contractor says I have to pick the paint color (tile, lighting, carpet, etc) TODAY or the whole project has to stop and it will cost me more money."
When you hire a designer that is also licensed as a general contractor, there is no question what the lead time is of the product that was selected. The designer/contractor is experienced at coordinating purchases and installations of custom materials and finishes. When you hire your designer as your contractor, there is not a break in the design focus. The project will be constructed the way you and your designer envisioned it. That is why design/build companies are so popular.
One word of caution - make sure the designer (of the design/build company) is one that you would have hired as your designer. You have a choice to have either a 'nice' remodel or a 'WOW this is fantastic!' remodel. The difference is the Designer.
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Interior Designers have the knowledge, experience and training to design and specify products that are safe for both your family and the environment. Next time you refer to me as your interior designer, you might as well call me your 'interior health advocate.'
ASID's written code of Ethics can be found http://www.asid.org/about/ethics/
]]>If you are installing a new radiant heat system, you will be able to select a thermostat that is programmable (turn the heat in the bathroom on at 5:30 am, shut it off at 8:00 am). That way you only pay for the heat when you need it. But the best feature of radiant heat has to do with how heated air flows. Unlike what you may think, radiant heat does not rise evenly over a heated floor. The heat travels sideways until it finds a vertical surface to rise up against - such as your body or a wall. That means most of the heat supplied in a room will be heating your body as opposed to heating dead space.
]]>a) Purchase appliances that coordinate with the colors and finishes of your kitchen
b) Allocate a ‘special area’ for them where they can co-mingle with other accessories, creating the ‘coffee station’ or the ‘breakfast station’ This gives them a ‘home’
c) Create a lowered counter with electrical outlets specifically for this appliance. Typically, this is done on the back side of an island effectively hiding the appliance from view.
d) Incorporate a ‘lift up shelf’ within an existing base cabinet. This is a shelf that lives within your base cabinet and can swing up with your mixer/juicer etc, already on the shelf. This is good for appliances that will be used in small amounts of time, such as a mixer. It is not good for appliances that use a long time such as rice cookers or crock pots. This is because the shelf sits out in your walkway space in front of your cabinets.
e) Utilize an appliance ‘garage’. This is a cabinetry unit that has a door that hides your appliances. This is almost always on the counter level. Options for appliance garages are as follows:
What drives me nuts is that the appliances almost always need to be pulled forward to you to be used, whether it is because you are loading the food in from the top of the mixer, or because the unit creates heat or steam and you do not want it to affect the cabinetry above. What we really need is a station specifically designed for use of countertop appliances. We need a niche in our kitchen that has a 12-15” deep counter that does not have cabinets above for at least 30”. The counter can be lowered if it makes the appliance easier to use. How about this counter being in the shape of a U so that you actually have 3 counters appropriate for appliance use. Designed in this way, the appliances will look like they belong there, they never have to be moved in or out and they can have outlets conveniently located right behind them.
]]>When you are remodeling your bathroom, I strongly advise that you spend the little extra money and enlarge the door to your bathroom. 32" of inside width is all you need to get a standard wheel chair through. Almost all bathroom remodels entail tearing out the existing tile and adding new tile and plumbing. While the walls are open, why not add bracing for hand bars? Did you know that Kohler now makes hand bars in all of their finishes (even the new finishes)? So your hand bars can be part of the design not an add on.
Many of you remember my foot surgery a couple years ago. That was an eye opener, even for an experienced designer as myself. I was off my foot for 4 months. I now TREASURE hand rails, 'comfort height' toilets and hand showers. I simply love the carts that you drive around in the grocery store. It is no picnic living without walking. I have made a commitment to MY FUTURE that every remodel/change I incur in my house is going to ENABLE me to live in my house longer. After all this remodeling, I CERTAINLY want to stick around to enjoy it!
Staying in your home longer starts with enlarging that bathroom door. Go ahead - Be Bold! Take the initiative to ACTIVELY PLAN YOUR FUTURE to LIVE happily in your home for a very long time.
Christine
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I am a huge advocate of living in surroundings that make you happy. Many people are surprised to learn that your surroundings influence how you feel, how you learn, how you think as well as contributing to your general physical health. Besides taking be fore and after pictures of projects, I ask my clients to do a before and after evaluation of how they feel when then walk into the room. The difference is always dramatic. The JOY and HAPPINESS that clients feel when they walk into their remodeled room is priceless. To be able to have that joy every day that you live in your home is huge
So, when evaluating the benefits and costs of your next remodel, remember to include the value of your happiness in the equation. Remodeling is a LIFE choice, no just an economic one.
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