Buying Into the Green Movement

“Consumers have embraced living green, and for the most part the mainstream green movement has embraced green consumerism. But even at this moment of high visibility and impact for environmental activists, a splinter wing of the movement has begun to critique what it sometimes calls “light greens.””

By Alex Williams, NY Times, Published: July 1, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/fashion/01green.html



Are Americans really buying into the green movement or are we being force feed a lot of brown stuff? For the last few years celebrities and politicians have been force feeding us with information saying global warming is coming faster than expected and we will destroy the earth by the year 2050. We’ve all heard the terms “Save the planet!” or celebrated Earth Day. The truth is the planet has been here for billions of years and will continue to be here for another billion years. In truth it is the human race that needs to be saved, but you won’t hear Hollywood or Washington use those terms. Instead they tell us to find alternative energy, stop filling up our landfills with grocery bags, stop using our air conditioning when it’s to hot, and stop using our heat when it’s to cold.
Many of us have been trying to be eco-friendly for years. We grow our own vegetables, compost our scraps, ride bicycles or use public transportation, even throw an extra blanket on the bed during the winter, oh and let’s not forget, recycle, recycle, recycle. The problem lies in the fact that human beings are stubborn and don’t want to listen to the facts. They would rather live life excessively until someone like Al Gore comes along and scares the pants off of them. Then everyone jumps on the bandwagon in an effort to make a buck. In My opinion this is all just another fad created by politicians in an effort to boost a failing dollar. The problems occur when in an effort to boost the economy they raise the prices so high that most people can’t afford to live a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
It is my belief that if individuals would learn to do a little bit of work for themselves, instead of spending money for others to do the work for them, the green movement would work much better. We hear “Buy organic”, but organic food costs more. Why not “Grow Organic”, Plant a garden and reap the rewards. By buying fifty cents worth of seeds, you can grow $100 worth of vegetables and reduce your stress while you’re at it. If you grow more than you can use, share it with your neighbors. If you don’t have a place to plant a garden, buy from your local farmers market. Grow locally and reduce long distance delivery.
Live simply, has always been my motto. Take lessons from our forefathers, instead of ignoring their advice. Stop acting like the world owes us a favor, and start living like we owe the world a favor.