Green South Carolina!

South Carolina, home to many miles of scenic coastline and thousands of acres of wide open and naturally preserved land, is sometimes overlooked when examples of green living are considered.  The natural beauty and hardy land that has attracted settlers for hundreds of years provides a golden opportunity, however, for citizens to work together to build green sustainable communities to ensure that future generations can enjoy the lands of South Carolina for many years in the future.

What is a green sustainable community and how can one be attained?  As people begin to work together to promote a healthier future for themselves and the environment around them, this is an important point to ponder.  In order to be green, it is necessary for people to consider every action they take and the impact that it may have on the environment.  It is not enough to simply buy certain products; instead it is necessary to realize that every choice can potentially hurt or heal the land.  What about sustainability?  How is that reached?  A community is considered sustainable when the appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that the proper resources and infrastructure is developed so as to provide for the needs of all citizens locally, both now and in the future.  Again, every choice has to be evaluated to determine not only its immediate impact but also its long term effect.  Finally, a green sustainable community cannot thrive unless the needs of its citizens are being met socially and economically.  Citizens must care for themselves to just as great a degree as they care for the land around them.

In South Carolina, Dewees Island is striving to become a green sustainable community.  Located near Charleston near the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge, Dewees Island was once a haven for the pirates that roamed the Atlantic Coast, but is now a mecca for concerned citizens seeking to create a healthy environment and vibrant community.  An organization called the Island Preservation Partnership is leading up efforts to turn Dewees Island into a model community that gives back to the environment, supports its residents, and serves as an example for other areas to achieve green sustainability.

The developers who are backing the Island Preservation Partnership are looking for create an eco friendly community by observing several key principles.  First, green builders are ensuring that their construction on the island meets the principles set by LEED certification – the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design guidelines that hold contractors to the highest level of green standards.  Second, and importantly, the developers of Dewees Island recognize that overpopulation can lead to the heightened depletion of natural resources.  Because of that, only a limited number of homesteads will be developed within the community, and a large portion of the island will be utilized as a wildlife refuge to prevent future development that may negatively impact the environment.  Finally, the Island Preservation Partnership is encouraging the use of any indigenous resources available, as the community’s ability to become sustainable relies upon its ability to use only what is readily available and in a manner respectful to the environment.

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