The Problem with Trees….
I started writing about trees, and I felt my blog was getting a little long, so below is the first in a series of blogs I will be writing about the issue of street trees in Philadelphia. Thanks for reading!
The bad news is, Philadelphia has the smallest percentage of tree canopy coverage of any other major city in on the east coast. Worse than that, we continue to lose more trees every year than we plant. Some of it is out of our control- trees die of old and disease, and it’s necessary to remove then. Then there are people, many of them live in my neighborhood, who think trees are a nuisance and cut down the healthy ones right in front of their house? A nuisance, you might ask, but that is preposterous! These residents, who I have tried to reason with, believe trees are more trouble than they are worth, that they attract animal excretions and trash, they bust up the cement, and drop all these leaves that are annoying to sweep up.
If these residents would take a minute to listen, I could explain a few benefits that far outweigh their perceptions of the disadvantages- some might even be news to tree lovers!
1. Trees help lower your energy bills- in the summertime the cast shade onto your home so your air conditioner or fans don’t have to work so hard. In the winter, they absorb cold wind gusts heading toward your house to reduce the work of your heater.
2. Trees can help your basement flood less! Besides the trash in the sewers, one of the reasons we have bad surface water control and our basements in Philadelphia flood is because there is no where else for the water to go. More planted trees mean less concrete (that water just sits on top of) and more dirt that absorbs the water so less of it is flowing on the pavement and into the cracks allowing it into your home!
3. Homes on tree lined streets are proven to sell for up to 20% more than identical homes on barren streets.
4. Less crime is committed on tree lined streets.
5. People who live and work in spaces where trees are visible through the windows are found to be happier, less stressed, and more productive than people who live and work in spaces with no greenery in sight.
6. More oxygen. Living in a city is not good for your lungs, but most of us city folk know that living anywhere else but a major metropolitan is just plain boring. Trees naturally clean the air for us so we live longer and healthier!
And the list goes on and on and on
So now what do you do if I have convinced you to plant a tree in front of your house? It’s expensive, right? NO! It’s free. Stay tuned for my next blog about Philly Tree Tenders and how to apply to get a free tree by next fall!
Greening your Closet and Your Life
Now some of the hottest items on the hangers are organic clothes, but for the real greenies out there, there is a better way to do your part for the environment when it’s time to go shopping- hit the consignment shops! The benefits are endless.
Buying at the consignment shop:
I know the first thought to some people is, “Gross! I don’t want to wear something that was worn by someone else!” Well, you people who are easily skeeved out, do you think those jeans you bought at Nordstrom’s were not tried on by a dozen people before you bought them, or that shirt from the gap couldn’t have been sneezed on by the sales clerk who spends all day folding them inhaling the microfiber particles? Just wash the darn garment before you wear it, and it’ll be as clean as or cleaner than something new. Just make sure you use a detergent that is not harmful to the environment!
First benefit, you can get some incredible deals at these stores, and sometimes find new items with tags on them for pennies on the dollar of what they originally sold for. In addition.
When you buy consigned clothes, you are also reducing the demand on new clothing which lessens the production of those new clothes. This saves energy & materials, and reduces toxins in bleaches and dies put into the air and water. This also reduces the emissions from vehicles that have to deliver clothing from the factories to the stores. Think about all the energy used to make the clothes that you are wearing today. If you buy used clothing you are not responsible for that energy!
Selling in the consignment shop:
Consignment shops will typically give you between 30%-50% of what they will resell your old clothes for, which puts more money back into your wallet, and no one can argue with that!
This also frees up lots of space in your home, reducing clutter, dust mites, and increasing storage space and open air space- all of which is good for you. Also, if you are student of Feng Shui, you will note that once you reduce clutter in your home (i.e. the clothes taking up closet space that you haven’t worn in over a year, you will start experiencing higher energy levels, more clarity, and a heightened sense of well-being.
So, fellow Philadelphians, I urge you to give it a try. Go to my favorite shop Green Street Consignment Shop on the corner of 7th and South Streets. They also have locations in Lambertville and Bryn Mawr. Their website is http://www.greenestreetconsignment.com
It IS Green to watch TV some times!
Hello Philadelphia. When you think about the changes that you can make in your life to realize your more sustainable self and reduce your carbon footprint, one of the first and easiest things to do is use less electricity. In my own home, I let that be the straw that broke my inner camel’s back […]