General Discussion

Scrivener7

(58,179 posts)

1. Though most people hate this idea, one of the best things you can do for the environment

Sun Jul 9, 2023, 09:13 AM

Jul 2023

is to live in multi-unit housing.

And, if people get over their prejudices against it, they will find that it doesn't require giving up much at all in the way of luxuries or comfort. It reduces the work you personally need to do to maintain your home and it opens you up to a community of friends and neighbors who have a stake in the efficient and comfortable running of your home.

But a recent thread here showed me that a lot of people believe a lot of really off-the-wall crazy nonsense about apartment living.

Another thread this morning made me go look up some statistics on what we have that we don't need. I posted my findings in a response. Here's the thread:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=18075353

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What modern conveniences are the least we need? [View all] Marthe48 Jul 2023 OP

Though most people hate this idea, one of the best things you can do for the environment Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #1

People value different things. NutmegYankee Jul 2023 #4

In my neighborhood, we have volunteers who adopt garden spaces around town. I have a large Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #7

They said it would be a prison for them SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #15

Yes, I lived most of my adult life in apartments PatSeg Jul 2023 #54

It isn't rude at all. NutmegYankee Jul 2023 #70

Same here. My privacy and ability to shape my living areas are everything to me. BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #26

Yes, the increasing rudeness and carelessness of others is unappealing to me Rorey Jul 2023 #43

You said it well. BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #59

Sounds like heaven Rorey Jul 2023 #64

Oh hell, last thing I want is perfection! Then I'd have nothing to do! BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #75

Same. I garden for wildlife as much as myself NickB79 Jul 2023 #35

Same here. I have several squash plants I put in just for the critters. BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #45

Sounds lovely Rorey Jul 2023 #52

I keep a few dozen goldfish in them. They eat every mosquito larvae NickB79 Jul 2023 #71

Great idea! Rorey Jul 2023 #73

Me, too. I could never live like that. In addition to the open space, there's the noise Vinca Jul 2023 #69

I do remember the noise. NutmegYankee Jul 2023 #160

Many inthewind21 Jul 2023 #154

I've never seen such a thing. NutmegYankee Jul 2023 #157

I've been thinking about this since I first posted in this thread. hunter Jul 2023 #155

+1 Agreed. c-rational Jul 2023 #18

I wouldn't mind taking on roommates Marthe48 Jul 2023 #20

We have solar panels on our sngle family home DBoon Jul 2023 #25

That's the worst part of living in an apartment, IMO Rorey Jul 2023 #60

I would not mind apartment living, except for the inconsiderate neighbors Trailrider1951 Jul 2023 #30

Inconsiderate AND stupid. GoCubsGo Jul 2023 #46

My brother and his family live in a rural area. So does my sister and her family. hunter Jul 2023 #58

Only if cigarette smoking and weed smoking were prohibited 100% with zero exceptions. Oopsie Daisy Jul 2023 #31

Yes. The only time I lived in an apartment was in college. I HATED smelling the smoke. BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #49

Excellent points. I hadn't even considered the fire hazard associated with smoking. Oopsie Daisy Jul 2023 #63

I live in a community of about 15 buildings. Smoking Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #137

I've noticed that too. I do not believe that the prohibitions are strictly or effectively enforced. Oopsie Daisy Jul 2023 #138

They are where I live. What is your experience that makes you think they aren't? Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #139

Well, in my experience, I don't "think they aren't," I know for a fact that they aren't. Oopsie Daisy Jul 2023 #142

As I said below, maybe people just suck a lot more in other places than where I live. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #145

Sounds like a nice exclusive arrangement. I'm glad you're enjoying it and are happy there. 👍 Oopsie Daisy Jul 2023 #147

Not exclusive price-wise. Costs are moderate to low for the area. But yes, we can Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #148

I bought a condo after a divorce and was prepared to love it. yardwork Jul 2023 #61

Not for me ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #85

Not if I can help it. Happy Hoosier Jul 2023 #118

I don't like living in an apartment. CozyMystery Jul 2023 #131

I might be a Sgent Jul 2023 #149

Electric can opener mobeau69 Jul 2023 #2

I can agree but ChazII Jul 2023 #3

Never thought of that. mobeau69 Jul 2023 #8

Never used one. BlackSkimmer Jul 2023 #27

Lol! Nt ecstatic Jul 2023 #53

Yep, although those were orignially meant for the elderly, GoCubsGo Jul 2023 #55

My arthritic nan considered the electric can opener ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #78

My sister will be i0 in September. I just turned 60. MerryBlooms Jul 2023 #123

Absolutely NowISeetheLight Jul 2023 #165

They're easy to clean and last for a long time. mobeau69 Jul 2023 #168

I'm trying something new this summer to deal with the heat: Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #5

I'm experimenting, too, with a dehumidifier. Midnight Writer Jul 2023 #79

My brother-in-law says... Mariana Jul 2023 #96

Many appliances have a "UL" sticker or label or something similar. A HERETIC I AM Jul 2023 #144

When my wife and I lived in the Midwest we had a small window air conditioner. hunter Jul 2023 #102

Moon pods. nt Hotler Jul 2023 #150

Mega corporate fast food. Don't need a billion chickens for "fingers" JanMichael Jul 2023 #6

My pet peeves..... getagrip_already Jul 2023 #9

I have a robot vacuum edhopper Jul 2023 #16

How often do you need a vacum? getagrip_already Jul 2023 #21

I have an iRobot model MissB Jul 2023 #34

Oh FFS ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #82

Same SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #24

Yep--mine was only around 200 bucks. I don't use it anymore Wingus Dingus Jul 2023 #28

You can take my espresso maker Shermann Jul 2023 #48

I did say designer..... getagrip_already Jul 2023 #66

And? So? ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #84

So well said n/t SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #95

Well, for one thing... getagrip_already Jul 2023 #100

There are SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #106

I don't know about the robot stuff or the pickup ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #81

I should have been more specific.... getagrip_already Jul 2023 #104

The first four are drops in the ocean in terms of emissions. meadowlander Jul 2023 #117

THIS should be a NATION-WIDE conversation. Think. Again. Jul 2023 #10

According to Paul Hawken, create a "Punch List." Then commit to it. ancianita Jul 2023 #11

I think this is what I mean Marthe48 Jul 2023 #17

Eating less Meat , especially beef JI7 Jul 2023 #12

Congrats! You're right. flvegan Jul 2023 #133

No they won't I'll say it too: STOP EATING MEAT!!!! Coventina Jul 2023 #134

I have been gradually weening WhiteTara Jul 2023 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author ancianita Jul 2023 #14

It would be very difficult for much of the country (including my state of CO) to give up cars hlthe2b Jul 2023 #19

We're doing major renovations on our ranch style house. Lars39 Jul 2023 #22

Some of these... Think. Again. Jul 2023 #33

Thanks for posting that! Lars39 Jul 2023 #42

gas stoves DBoon Jul 2023 #23

Okay. I suppose I could give that up ecstatic Jul 2023 #56

To get an induction range that matches Bettie Jul 2023 #99

how about this DBoon Jul 2023 #103

How about this SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #105

I suppose if I was just cooking one thing Bettie Jul 2023 #107

You do you! SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #108

Global climate change is a serious threat to our existance DBoon Jul 2023 #110

Are you SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #111

We really are working over time Bettie Jul 2023 #143

As we replace things we are moving toward more energy efficiency Bettie Jul 2023 #141

We need far less jet travel and commuting... Hugin Jul 2023 #29

I just flew to Maine and back Marthe48 Jul 2023 #37

Your awareness of the problem... Hugin Jul 2023 #41

Single-use plastics Shermann Jul 2023 #32

I reuse every container if I can Marthe48 Jul 2023 #38

Go Back To Paper ProfessorGAC Jul 2023 #47

Yeah and now plastic recycling is being identified as a source of microplastics in the water Shermann Jul 2023 #51

Glass Is Heavily Recycled Here ProfessorGAC Jul 2023 #62

Salt and sugar and flour packaging in paper pwb Jul 2023 #65

And, Grocery Stores ProfessorGAC Jul 2023 #74

It would be great if people were in the habit ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #86

I've Got One ProfessorGAC Jul 2023 #97

very common here Retrograde Jul 2023 #125

Based on history, people will give up nothing or less Progressive dog Jul 2023 #36

Someone posted last week that without fossil fuels Marthe48 Jul 2023 #39

That is likely true Progressive dog Jul 2023 #88

Sadly, I think this is true. Even this thread, which began as a request for ideas of what Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #40

At least half of the world's population Progressive dog Jul 2023 #89

The vast majority of us can give up a lot. But, as Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #91

+1 llmart Jul 2023 #109

Stupid peak oil Shermann Jul 2023 #50

I agree Progressive dog Jul 2023 #87

The biggest problem is the feedback loops. StevieM Jul 2023 #136

Perhaps that will happen Progressive dog Jul 2023 #152

Here is something terrifying for you to read. StevieM Jul 2023 #153

It might be that bad and it might not. Progressive dog Jul 2023 #156

Regardless of what you do, life will soon be a struggle Kaleva Jul 2023 #44

Often, we begin with "we're all in this together" until Torchlight Jul 2023 #57

I'd like to keep a/c Marthe48 Jul 2023 #67

Single use and single serve everything. pnwest Jul 2023 #68

It's nearly impossible for an affluent person to reduce their environmental footprint. hunter Jul 2023 #72

Most needed are water catchment systems. GreenWave Jul 2023 #76

"Keeping up with the Joneses" has always existed ExWhoDoesntCare Jul 2023 #77

So many things but some big ones I have learned to deal without mostly MuseRider Jul 2023 #80

You should utilize whatever tools you need to help you prepare to adapt Kaleva Jul 2023 #83

manicured lawns Takket Jul 2023 #90

Agree 100% Marthe48 Jul 2023 #92

Twas gonna write: "gas lawnmowers." Kid Berwyn Jul 2023 #162

It's imperative that we start contemplating about sustainable housing. Niagara Jul 2023 #93

Thank you for the post Marthe48 Jul 2023 #94

You're entirely welcome, Marthe48. Niagara Jul 2023 #101

Looks good, but how well do they scale? Retrograde Jul 2023 #126

That's an excellent question and observation, Retrograde! Niagara Jul 2023 #163

I like having my animals Bettie Jul 2023 #98

I find this thread sad. We're facing an extinction event. You asked a good question. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #112

What I've seen SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #113

As I said, we are facing an extinction event. What ARE you willing to do? Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #114

Yes, they are suggestions SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #115

Are you happy with your carbon footprint? Do you think it contributes to Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #116

I'm happy with my life SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #119

I am disturbed about the ravaged climate we're leaving to the next generation. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #140

Indicidual actions can help.... Happy Hoosier Jul 2023 #121

"action on a worldwide level is what is needed" Another Jackalope Jul 2023 #128

Sure. But I admit I'm pessimistic. Happy Hoosier Jul 2023 #129

We'll be a part of the extinction Marthe48 Jul 2023 #120

I doubt humanity goes extinct... Happy Hoosier Jul 2023 #122

Grim, but clearly a possibility. And maybe that's not a bad thing. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #124

People get angry because they know they are being selfish and reminders, Coventina Jul 2023 #135

Some of us lived in apartments for years before we bought our detached housing. NutmegYankee Jul 2023 #159

+1000 Niagara Jul 2023 #167

As I said to you above, I fully understand others might not like the same things I do. Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #170

People don't want to prepare to adapt Kaleva Jul 2023 #151

A pointed stick and a sharp rock Another Jackalope Jul 2023 #127

My sister and I share a mobile home. MerryBlooms Jul 2023 #130

Very inspiring! MorbidButterflyTat Jul 2023 #164

I really try to do as much as possible in a small space. MerryBlooms Jul 2023 #171

Hi MerryBlooms! Niagara Jul 2023 #166

Good job! If we all do what we can do, it will help. MerryBlooms Jul 2023 #172

Styrofoam and plastic packaging should be banned in all forms. MerryBlooms Jul 2023 #132

Most of the stuff that is considered "The internet of things" A HERETIC I AM Jul 2023 #146

Do Americans giving up modern conveniences offset growth in China and India? Showbizkid Jul 2023 #158

I might of been thinking of meeting in the middle Marthe48 Jul 2023 #161

whatever modification rednecks make to their trucks to 'role coal' prodigitalson Jul 2023 #169

Is it too late to throw in a rant about pop culture tchotchkes? meadowlander Jul 2023 #173

Not even good for the resale market Marthe48 Jul 2023 #174