By Susan Short, Deep Green Living
My husband and I have a hotel down in Costa Rica, and I am responsible for all the environmental aspects of the property. Our dream was to create a comfortable retreat where guests could experience living in harmony with the local ecology. To this end, I formed a team and we started by focusing on issues such as water conservation and how to foster wildlife through our garden design. The process has grown and evolved, and so many exciting have been implemented, all in response to constantly asking ourselves "How can we enjoy this special place without ruining it? How can we conserve, protect and possibly even nurture something more vibrant?"
After two years of learning and working in Costa Rica, I returned home to NYC inspired to look at my home environment through a new lens. I didn't see the city as being separate from 'nature'. I was acutely aware that our everyday actions are impacting the people, plants and animals around us - not to mention our air quality, water quality and the global climate.
My husband and I have a hotel down in Costa Rica, and I am responsible for all the environmental aspects of the property. Our dream was to create a comfortable retreat where guests could experience living in harmony with the local ecology. To this end, I formed a team and we started by focusing on issues such as water conservation and how to foster wildlife through our garden design. The process has grown and evolved, and so many exciting have been implemented, all in response to constantly asking ourselves "How can we enjoy this special place without ruining it? How can we conserve, protect and possibly even nurture something more vibrant?"
After two years of learning and working in Costa Rica, I returned home to NYC inspired to look at my home environment through a new lens. I didn't see the city as being separate from 'nature'. I was acutely aware that our everyday actions are impacting the people, plants and animals around us - not to mention our air quality, water quality and the global climate.
I was eager to make a personal difference and knew the big topics to address: Water, waste reduction, energy efficiency, home purity, biodynamic gardening and food. But the process did not come as easily as the outline. It's a different climate and circumstance. I found myself doing tons of research just to figure out where to begin so that I was addressing the most important areas first. Then there was a whole other round of research to find reliable service providers. I was growing impatient and distracted. I needed someone to work with me. Fill in the gaps. Educate me. Understand what's important to me. And keep the process moving forward while I'm keeping up with the rest of my life.
The roadblocks on my path to living with a lighter footprint taught me that in order to go green without bringing my life to a screeching halt, I needed support! One night I was looking out the window at the thousands of lights I can see from my apartment and I was struck by the enormity of it all. There are so many of us! Millions of individual households that make up that whole of New York City! How many people are stumbling along the same roadblocks as they try to live a new and better way?
I decided to start Deep Green Living as a support network for going green and living a more gratifying life. Deep Green Living consultants cater to the client, free of judgment, acting as teachers or coaches. Deep Green Living's first step is getting to know the client's life, home, needs, and interests. Our consultants understand the needs of a city dweller and recognize that each New Yorker is different from the next. Deep Green Living guides each client individually towards the implementation of a greener more gratifying home and lifestyle within an urban setting.
Susan Short
Founder, Deep Green Living
Susan,
I salute you. You are not alone! We are on different coasts but clearly motivated and thinking about the same things. Keep up the good work, and perhaps we will see you in Costa Rica as we are frequent visitors to our family in Quepos.
Best of luck,
Andrea Baker
www.sustainandsave.com
It is such a comfort to know that there are people like you out there! I often am overwhelmed as you are with the amount of people there are living in all of the many cities around the world. If each person could do just one thing to lighten their footprint, our world would be on such a better track. With people like you providing support, we can and will make a difference.
Lee Bailly
Artisit