Going green conflicts
Eco-friendly lifestyles affect more than just environment
Kelly Cline
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Features
The eco-friendly, green movement is growing in popularity, but the issues alongside this trend are also taking on importance. Officials are skeptical of whether altered lifestyles can negatively impact personal relationships.
Sara Parks agreed that conflicts are likely to occur among individuals, but feels there has been a huge growth in awareness for going green. Her store, Equita, located in Lawrenceville, is a prime example of moving in the green direction, selling items that are eco-friendly, fair-trade and sweatshop-free.
"I think so many more people are becoming aware, and small businesses are trying to be more environmentally conscious. Five to 10 years ago, I didn't think there was such an emphasis on being green," Parks, co-owner and director of marketing and communications at Equita, said.
She finds herself in a convenient situation in which her entire family is in support of protecting the environment and continuing in the green movement.
"It's hard for me to think of conflicts occurring," Parks said. "My whole family is all on board with me."
Pittsburgh has been a leader in the green movement, installing green roofs on buildings such as the Giant Eagle in Shadyside and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on the North Side. According to the Green Building Alliance (GBA), the city has a total of 39 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED certified buildings.
GBA is dedicated to keeping the green movement alive and funding green building projects that are healthy for the environment. Holly Childs, executive director of GBA, has seen the benefits of going green, including lower heating and cooling costs. She acknowledged the eco-friendly improvements made in Pittsburgh, but remains skeptical of whether or not the green movement could negatively affect a relationship.
"Pittsburgh has made a lot of gains," Childs said. "It is one of the top 10 cities in number of green buildings. Issues due to becoming environmentally friendly really depend on the type of relationship - whether it is professional or personal - and the individual situation. There are just so many benefits to going green."
Sara Parks agreed that conflicts are likely to occur among individuals, but feels there has been a huge growth in awareness for going green. Her store, Equita, located in Lawrenceville, is a prime example of moving in the green direction, selling items that are eco-friendly, fair-trade and sweatshop-free.
"I think so many more people are becoming aware, and small businesses are trying to be more environmentally conscious. Five to 10 years ago, I didn't think there was such an emphasis on being green," Parks, co-owner and director of marketing and communications at Equita, said.
She finds herself in a convenient situation in which her entire family is in support of protecting the environment and continuing in the green movement.
"It's hard for me to think of conflicts occurring," Parks said. "My whole family is all on board with me."
Pittsburgh has been a leader in the green movement, installing green roofs on buildings such as the Giant Eagle in Shadyside and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on the North Side. According to the Green Building Alliance (GBA), the city has a total of 39 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED certified buildings.
GBA is dedicated to keeping the green movement alive and funding green building projects that are healthy for the environment. Holly Childs, executive director of GBA, has seen the benefits of going green, including lower heating and cooling costs. She acknowledged the eco-friendly improvements made in Pittsburgh, but remains skeptical of whether or not the green movement could negatively affect a relationship.
"Pittsburgh has made a lot of gains," Childs said. "It is one of the top 10 cities in number of green buildings. Issues due to becoming environmentally friendly really depend on the type of relationship - whether it is professional or personal - and the individual situation. There are just so many benefits to going green."
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