All insulation is environmentally friendly. Some installation has

Hear the practical wisdom of Dick Strawbridge: “All insulation is environmentally friendly. Some insulation has better environmental credentials, but what matters is the energy it saves.” These words, though humble in tone, carry the weight of great truth. They remind us that in the struggle to protect the earth, perfection must not become the enemy of action. For in every form of insulation—whether humble or advanced—lies the power to preserve warmth, to reduce waste, and to shield the earth from the unrelenting drain of needless energy.

The meaning of this quote lies in its simplicity. In an age when men and women argue over which materials are the greenest, the purest, or the most sustainable, Strawbridge cuts through the noise. He declares that the essence of environmental care is not found in endless debates, but in action that reduces consumption. Energy saved is energy not burned, fuel not wasted, carbon not released. Whether it comes from sheep’s wool or recycled plastic, straw bales or mineral fiber, the result is the same: less demand upon the earth, less strain upon the fragile balance of nature.

History itself offers proof of this principle. Consider the homes of our ancestors in the frozen north. They used turf, sod, and even ice itself to create walls of insulation. These materials were not chosen because of “environmental credentials,” but because they kept the warmth in and the cold out. By conserving heat, they conserved fuel—be it wood, oil, or blubber. In their wisdom, though born of necessity, they practiced the same truth Strawbridge proclaims: what matters is the energy it saves.

In modern times, we have seen this principle borne out in the transformation of cities. When Germany rebuilt after the Second World War, energy was scarce, and conservation became a necessity. Decades later, programs such as Passivhaus—super-insulated, airtight homes—proved that insulation could reduce heating needs by up to ninety percent. Here was no argument about material alone, but about the victory of design and foresight over waste. The lesson is clear: saving energy is the greatest act of environmental stewardship any builder can perform.

Strawbridge’s words also guard us against the vanity of appearances. Too often, people choose the “greenest” option for the sake of pride or show, ignoring simpler, more practical steps that yield far greater results. A home with modest insulation saves more energy than a home boasting expensive eco-materials yet leaking heat through its walls. The earth does not measure intention, but outcome. The true measure of our choices lies in whether they reduce harm, whether they save energy, whether they lighten the burden upon creation.

The lesson for us is powerful: do not delay good action while searching for perfect action. If you can add insulation to your home, do so—whether it is made of straw, cellulose, or fiberglass. If you can seal drafts, if you can conserve heat, if you can reduce waste, then you have already taken a stand for the earth. Every watt of energy spared is a victory, every unnecessary fire not burned is a blessing. Perfection is rare, but persistence in simple deeds creates transformation.

Practical action is within reach of all. Insulate your homes, your schools, your workplaces. Support policies that fund retrofitting and energy conservation. Teach your children that warmth is not endless, that energy is precious, and that saving it is an act of reverence for the earth. Remember that while debates about “credentials” may continue, the planet will feel the difference in the energy we preserve.

Thus let Dick Strawbridge’s words be remembered as both counsel and command: all insulation is environmentally friendly, for all conservation of energy is a triumph for the earth. Do not seek the perfect at the expense of the good. Act with wisdom, save what can be saved, and build a world where warmth is kept within, and the waste of energy is cast out. For in such small acts lies the power to heal the world.