Personal satisfaction, an eye on the future of the planet and a desire to prevent waste – more people are choosing to live sustainably, says Daniela Harris
What is sustainable living? We all think we know, but it’s actually not such an easy question to answer, so I went looking for definitions.... Meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, is one. The avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance, is another. And sustainability is a goal for society with environmental, economic and social benefits.
Personally, I like the Google translation in French – ‘un vie durable’, a durable life. France’s sustainability initiatives are as old as France itself: slow food, small-scale farming, local markets, the preservation of nature. France hosted the Paris-Climate accord and led the way in committing to changing its dirty 20th-century ways. The government has implemented a number of initiatives to help homeowners create more sustainable homes and in 2019, The Economist’s Sustainable Tourism Index ranked France as number one.
Throughout the world, an increasing environmenal focus has forced governments to address sustainable living. Once only a small group of people were passionate enough to take stock of their consumption; now with rising energy prices and temperatures, the economics of energy consumption is the question on buyer’s lips and sustainability is at the heart of many a housing conversation. Whether you buy an old property, a new-build or a plot of land, there are plenty of ways of improving your carbon footprint, future-proofing your house and saving a significant amount of money. We talked to a few people for whom sustainability is important.
THREE LITTLE PIGS
In search of a sustainable, eco-friendly life Hans and Suzanne Blom came to France to build three, soon to be four, sustainable cottages from natural materials, predominantly straw. They now live there and rent them out as Les Trois Petit Cochons eco-gîtes (strohuisje.nl).
Hans, how did you embark on this journey?
Back in Holland, we were trying to find somewhere alternative to live and came across allotments with ecocabins built on them. A kind lady invited me to see her home there. It was made of clay and straw with recycled coloured glass for windows – like something out of a fairytale! It was my inspiration.
I was a chef, so I cut my hours to four days a week and spent the fifth day shadowing electricians, builders, plasterers, plumbers etc so that by the time we made the move to France I was prepared.
How did you end up in France?
After realising that the type of life my wife and I wanted isn’t achievable in Holland, we looked to France. My uncle
