The Green Trend vs. The Green Battle
(You can get background info on my fame and what I plan to do with it HERE.)
As you know, there’s a big old trend taking place. It’s HOT. Everyone wants a part of it. It’s likely why you’re at this site. And the label it’s been given is so basic, primary even: G R E E N. This story found on ENN’s great site asks the right questions. From the article:
You could commute in a hybrid, sip fair trade coffee, swaddle your tyke in organic cotton, spend vacations saving rain forests, bank your retirement on socially responsible investments, even power your home from a low-pollution utility.
But while all that green may leave you feeling good, does it really leave the world a better place? Or just thin your wallet?
Damned good questions. With everyone from BP to Wal-Mart (that’s not quite A-Z, but close) working to greenwash their corporate logos (and let’s be fair here, we do want to encourage these companies to do the right thing, and if/when they do, we have to be willing to reward them with our business - scary thought, I know), are we really affecting any substantial change through our consumer choices? What we need are better tools that allow us to know that our dollar-votes are going to the right companies. Tools like Alonovo.com are critical in that they allow us to make informed decisions. However, how much are we willing to “sacrifice”? Selection? Savings? Fabric choices?
Also, while it feels great to run down to the local natural food store and buy organic foods, we have to recognize that this is a luxury that most can’t afford the wild salmon or the organic heirloom tomatoes. What of the rest? What of those who are stuck in an economic feedback loop in the midst of the fast food jungle? Are you telling me that they don’t WANT to eat better? That’s absurd. My point? Sure, it feels good to make the “right” decisions at the checkout line, and don’t get me wrong, it’s something we must continue to do, but are we really making enough of a difference?
What are your thoughts? How do we avoid the type of polarization that efforts like Al Gore’s movie, however powerful, significant and well-intended, help foster? How do we do the right thing without alienating the “other half” without whom we’ve no chance at making significant gains? Preaching to the choir is an oft-repeated mistake of myriad movements.
(feel free to comment)
Tags: Ruminations