Editor,
I am somewhat safe here in the University area, pretty well impervious to the shoddy construction of subdivisions. The houses here are old and beautiful, each one unique.
What are we doing here in Albuquerque, turning this place into another Phoenix? Have you seen the sprawl there? The East Coast is pretty much paved over.
Albuquerque used to be my little desert oasis. Now, I can feel the lack of culture closing in on me.
Live in town. Support local businesses. Take it upon yourself to make this city as great as it has the potential to be. Don't sell your land to Wal-Mart. Teach your kids the value of culture and tradition and heritage.
Albuquerque is my home. I left for seven years and came back because I missed the mountains and the green chile and the people.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Get out of the house. Get to know your neighbors. If you are going to live in one of these new subdivisions, make it a community. Get out and enjoy the fresh air. Be responsible in your use of our precious resources. It is so simple to slough off the consumer mentality.
If you want to own a home, buy an old one and fix it up so it will be more energy efficient. That old home will be standing long after the new ones are crumbling.
If you must build anew, think about renewable resources. Have your house built so that there are many south-facing windows. This will help keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
It is so easy to say we care, but why don't people care about the Earth? Don't you want your children and their children to have an Earth when you are gone?
Joy Denett
UNM student
