We have become a society that truly believes “bigger is Better” and “more” should be our goal. If we want to reduce our carbon footprint that sort of thinking needs to become history.

In the U.S.big houses are becoming the norm. Its time to ditch the McMansions. Oversize homes aren’t just architecturally offensive, they also require more energy to heat and cool as well as consume a greater amount of building materials. Many countries around the world have been practicing smaller living for decades living in vastly smaller average homes as well as pioneering green building practices. The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program measures a building’s planet-friendly factor based on five criteria:

Sustainable site development

Water savings

Energy Efficiency

Material selection

Indoor environmental quality

Residential energy use accounts for 16% of greenhouse-gas emissions. You need to begin thinking green at the blueprint stage so low-tech, pragmatic techniques will maximize your new home’s efficiency. You don’t need 24th century solutions to 18th century problems.

Small is beautiful, in our homes, our hobbies, our transportation, our entire lifestyle. We need to model our thinking and philosophy on the Buddhist thinking, Live simply, meditate often, consume less and think more. The planet will applaud you!