Environmental Mortages

by David Henderson
(NYC)

Hi,

I would just like to thank you for maintaining the resource at
stuffintheair.com/ways-to-prevent-air-pollution.html

It's essential that information regarding environmental issues are easily and broadly accessible.

What Else

There is another resource that I think would make a good addition to your list. It's a comprehensive consumer guide to ENERGY EFFICIENT housing and "green MORTGAGES" (EEMs). It's located at www.mortgageloan.com/environment/ and covers what EEMs are, how they work, the different kinds of EEMs etc.

Take a look at it and see what you think. I hope that we can help others find this information and contribute towards raising environmental awareness.

Regards,

David Henderson

Barry's Response - Thanks David - You have given an interesting concept here.

A mortgage aimed at more efficient housing? Yeah, why not. Sure it's good for the environment to encourage people to own and use such a home; it even stimulates the economy somewhat, encouraging consumers to demand new resources.

What does this do for the individual consumer, the prospect? It enables one to qualify for greater amounts, under the principle that less energy wasted leads to more of your income available in relation to other customers to make mortgage payments, and that increased ability leads to you qualifying for a greater amount of mortgage principal in the first place.

A retroactive increment to the primary mortgage for energy efficient retrofits in the home might be just what the world needs. This can work.

Fascinating Topic — Green Mortgages

This is a great marketing phrase. The words "energy-efficient home... Mortgage discount!" sound good, don't they? Let's dig in. How much can you save with green mortgages?

These loans help homeowners afford energy-efficient homes. When your house is better insulated, has solar panels, or an efficient HVAC system, you'll spend less on utilities. Now here's where it gets interesting...

What's the GREEN FACTOR in energy-efficient homes?
- Rare earth mining has boomed because of solar panels. Many of these "clean" technologies are based on environmentally destructive mining, often in poor and distant countries.
- Wind farms and bird populations - Wind power is great? Theoretically. A wind turbine kills birds, disrupts local climates, and uses petroleum-based materials.
- Is there toxic waste from electric home battery backups? Their disposal creates long-term pollution.

So, really...do green homes reduce emissions or just shift them? Now, about that

Free Market

- True free markets reward efficiency, not forced subsidies.
- Energy-efficient homes save money, so why do we need government-backed green mortgages?

When the government gets involved in the housing market, it usually results in:
- Distorted incentives forcing people to upgrade.
- Home prices that are artificially inflated in the wake of tax breaks.
- Short-term booms, long-term busts.

Being Real

Instead of green mortgage mandates, why not let the market decide? If energy-efficient homes are truly cost-effective, banks will offer incentives on their own. So can green mortgages save the planet from global climate change?
- Earth's climate is influenced by solar cycles, ocean currents, and volcanic activity.
- CO2 is produced in the wake of prosperity. By forcing CO2 reduction via carbon taxes and green mortgages, you risk inducing economic decline.
- Innovation is fueled by strong economies. If green homes were truly a game changer, capitalism would have made them the standard.

How should we proceed?
✅ An approach based on market forces. Instead of government programs, let private lenders figure out how much energy-efficient homes are worth.
✅ Analyze the cost-benefit. If retrofits pay for themselves, people will spontaneously buy them.
✅ Focus on pollution, not CO2. Carbon footprints don't matter as much as human health.

Arguments favouring green mortgages:
- Reducing energy use is always a good thing Yes, if it's cost-effective. But forcing it distorts markets and wastes resources (e.g., replacing working-appliances too soon).
- There's an emergency with climate change Climate has always changed. Instead of panicking and wrecking economies, we deal with it by adapting, innovating, and thriving.
- The future is renewable energy In a free market, it's even better. Consumers shouldn't be forced to buy into a particular type of energy.

Instead of fear-driven policies, maybe we should try real solutions. And instead of following CO2 hysteria, I like to deal with air quality where it really matters...near you. It's important to have a scientific and financial basis for the policies we devise and follow. Sustainability is cleaner air without government interference. So let's clear the air.

Green mortgages: are they a scam?

No, but policies often drive them. Do they make sense to everyone? Probably not all, so consider long-term costs vs. savings. Will they stop climate change? Doubtful, as there's more to climate change than just human input.

What works best? We need free markets, a thriving economy, and real technological innovation in place of panic-triggered policies. Green's good, just don't believe the hype.

Search this site for more information now.