Enter Generation G: Living good and green

By Isabel Berenguer Asuncion
Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE YEARNING FOR WELLNESS, the threat of global warming and climate change, and the longing for a better quality of life has created a new mindset. From the predominantly adrenaline-fueled, ladder-climbing and rat-racing member of the past and present generations evolve the change-purveying members of Generation G.

Members of Generation G are passionate and empowered, and are willing to give, share, collaborate and be generous in order to help build a community with the shared principles of sustaining the Self and others while caring for Mother Earth. Generation G wants to bring about changes for the greater good. They consume less, preserve more, live well, live good. These are the guiding statements of Generation G.

And so what is Generation G’s environment like? What is their lifestyle? What kind of spaces does someone from Generation G move through?

Generation G lives simply and uniquely. A Gen G space will probably look unlike the typical Filipino home because this generation is independent from the pressures of conformity, to what is trendy or “in,” or what is talked about. It will also likely have many handcrafted indigenous decorative items many would have forgotten to appreciate.

Generation G is not into the habit of bringing things halfway across the world—too big of a carbon footprint. Gen G buys Filipino. Local furniture have excellent designs and are of international quality. Think Budji and Cobonpue. There are also many local woven fabric or fibers that are woven into beautiful material: abaca, tinalak or abel iloko can be made into carpets, beddings, pillow cases and even curtains. Check out shops like Narda’s, HM Fabric and Sou Mak.

Generation G thinks of durability as a long-term sustainable solution. Gen G does not mind using preowned items. Restyle, refinish, reupholster and repair. Most of the cost to upgrading old items goes to local labor.

Gen G’ers get the TV out of the bedroom. Bedrooms are for rest and regeneration and should provide a calm and relaxing environment to support hectic days. TV hampers creativity and on the long term, destroys the ability to focus. One TV per home is more than enough.

Generation G knows that OFF is the new ON. They pull the plugs on appliances that are not in use as they still consume (phantom) power loads. They use timers to minimize the use of lighting and appliances. Unplugged never sounded so good.

Because Generation G is into the habit of reaching out, it likes open spaces that reach out and harnessing light and air just as it would reach out and harness the kindness of humanity. The simplest way to lessen the carbon footprint is to open the windows and let the light in. This little habit of opening up spaces not only lessens your need for artificial light but is great for your well-being. Sunlight helps regulate the body clock, it kills out mold and mildew which are the primary cause of allergies at home. Watch your spaces as light—with all its shades and shadows—beautifully transforms its character throughout the cycles of the day.

Generation G has a comfortable, well-equipped kitchen. Slow food is the better food and nothing beats engaging in the process of making home-cooked meals. A well-designed kitchen is not only efficient, it makes the whole process of nourishing yourself more enjoyable.

Generation G goes low-flow and dual-flush. Toilet fixture choices are made easy by the many options for bathroom fixtures, with many inexpensive ones coming from China. No budget to change your fixture? Then at least get an aerator for your faucet and reduce tap water consumption. Dexterton’s “Neo-Pearl” does the job.

Generation G can be from any age group or social level. Gen G was not born in a specific period of time, but rather evolved with a consciousness that supports, promotes and practices positive changes to create a more humane society and a better place to live in. From my point of view, design, and any living space for that matter, can only be good when it supports the values of humanity.

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COMMENT:
I can definitely say that I am a Generation G member! I hope the Filipino youth would become members as well.