I am feeling inspired with all the attention given to environmental concerns these days, especially the growing interest in green homes. But it worries me that we still have a long way to go. There is a lot of confusion and hype out there about what it means to be green. Part of it has to do with the lack of commonly accepted definitions to some of the more basic terms we are using.

For example, the word ’sustainability’ is often used interchangably with the word ‘green’–big mistake! An innocent one indeed, but a mistake nonetheless.

Sustainability is multidimensional in that it necessarily includes social and economic value dimensions in addition to environmental value dimensions. To establish and maintain sustainability within any aspect of life one must consider all three value dimensions simultaneously. To give attention to one without giving attention to the other may potentially compromise the system as a whole which may then inhibit any potential for sustainability.