North Carolina Goes Green

Of course, there are the leaf-strewn valleys of the piedmont and turquoise Atlantic waters, but these days, North Carolina is becoming known for an altogether different kind of "green."

As environmental issues top lists of concern throughout the nation and responsible individuals seek to incorporategreen living and green building into their lifestyles, North Carolina has risen to the forefront of this modern shift. Here, I will discuss some of the initiatives currently underway in North Carolina that makes it a Best Place for ecologically minded retirees and those looking to relocate.

Annually, 20 million people are fortunate enough to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains by way of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs along the crest of some of the East’s highest mountain peaks.

The North Carolina State government has recognized the need to protect this natural national treasure. In 1991, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina was founded and has since created Land Trusts across the state. One of these trusts extends from Alleghany to Avery County along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and ensures the physical majesty and delicate eco-systems of North Carolina will be preserved for limitless future generations to enjoy.

North Carolina is not all unspoiled forest, though. It has a rich history of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Numerous organizations have been established to make sure that human impact on the state’s resources remains as low as possible.

For example, the busy Raleigh Durham International Airport has replaced all of its urinal facilities with the latest "waterless" technology, which saves up to 17,000 gallons of water per urinal each year. Additionally, RDI Airport uses water runoff from its runways to irrigate surrounding land, saving millions of gallons of water per year.

As it is vital to instill these environmental practices in our youth, many of North Carolina’s schools are adopting policies of conservation. In Johnston County at the Smithfield Selma High School, energy efficient appliances power the school (such as strictly "on demand" water heaters and low-flow faucets).

Many other state buildings are making use of technologies that conserve storm water runoff from rooftops to use in irrigation and sewage capacities. The Natural History museum in Lenoir is an example of these "grey water" technologies put to use in North Carolina.

For those ecologically minded folks interested in constructing their own homes, there are many options to consider in North Carolina. It is important to consider contractors who are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

The LEED program is a division of the United States Green Building Council, and ensures a standard of construction is adhered to that enforces sustainable living and environmentally sound construction practices. Lists of LEED certified builders in North Carolina can be found at the USGBC organization website.

It makes sense to go "green" from the standpoint of sustainable economic growth, as well as simply being kind to our planet for future generations. North Carolina is certainly the place to be to reward yourself with all that nature and green environmental technology have to offer!

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