Early Monday morning reports came flooding in about 3 homes destroyed and one damaged in what is known as the Street of Dreams in Snohomish County, WA. There were reported indications of explosive devices found inside the homes. Indications of who might have been responsible were also found nearby on a sign painted with the initials ELF (Earth Liberation Front).

The homes ranged in size between 4,200 and 4,750 square feet and were part of a home building tour that shows off the architecture, interior, technology and landscaping features of the homes. [Source]

First off let me admit that I am a beginning news radio listener and my first listen just so happened to be on the day of this story. I remember driving along and listening to a conversation between the show host and random callers about the extreme acts of the suspected "leaderless ideology", and one question in particular sparked my interest. Can you be "Green" building homes almost 5,000 square feet in size?

On one hand, yes we need to be more cautious about the effects our lifestyles have on the planet and what that means for future generations, but on the flip side of that we still need somewhere to live and call home. Personally I don't know of any families except the Duggar's who notably have 17 children that would need a home this size. It's quite ironic to me that as families grow smaller our homes get bigger.

As far as whoever is responsible for the fires, I am not condoning the method in which they chose to get their point across. I think it does just as much harm to the environment and the surrounding community to burn down homes. However, isn't it a big conflict of interest when you make the statement of being a Green Home Builder yet you use more land and material than necessary?

When it comes down to it, it is probably not the most "Green" concept to build such large homes but at least there are environmentally friendly materials and procedures being used in the creation of them. For there once was a time when homes this size were being built without any consideration for green building. For that alone we have made some progress.

If nothing else, this could be a good wake up call to both sides to begin to practice what they preach. Radical acts of arson are not being environmentally conscious nor is the over use of land and materials. Neither side has clean hands when it's all said and done but I do applaud them both for their efforts great and small of taking the planet and its inhabitants into consideration. Out of the greatest tragedies, a lesson can still be learned. 



Aaron Fields is the Sales Marketing Coordinator for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are strictly his.