This article is a useful, explanatory piece that shows readers how to make their home "greener" in five ways, but it actually provides 15.
In the story's five suggestions, it offers great alternatives for homeowners with different goals and budgets in mind. For example, one of the five points addresses lighting. The mainstream solution is to replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent, the greener solution is to install timers around the house and purchase LED lights, and the really green solution is to install solar tubes that collect and distribute natural light.
This is a great example of the writer, Kristin Taveira having her audience in mind. Instead of proposing only the extreme, typically costly ideas, she shows readers of all backgrounds how they can help the environment. This is a critical aspect of covering environmental news, in my opinion. Why should the average reader care? What can you do to make a difference?
Too often the extreme measures supersede the small things that anyone could do to help the environment, but stories like these with a true grassroots appeal help change that.
Also worth noting is the fact that this article originally appeared in Newsday, the Long Island -based publication. Hence LIPA standards really mean nothing to Chicagoans or anyone outside of New York, for that matter. I think when the Tribune borrows stories like these for their paper and to use as filler on their "Living Green" section, they should include a follow-up that could make the piece more local.
Find the story here.
1 comment:
Evan,
I think these ideas are a great way to present trying to change the environment to the public because if it is presented in a black and white way the general public way not be as likely to make the changes. However these steps seem pretty easy and people can choose which ones to do depending on how they adapt to change.
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