Cross posted from my site. Enjoy.
I love lazy Sundays. It's my re-charge day and I cherish it. We all need a day to re-charge our battery and putz around in our pajamas reading, writing, thinking, dreaming... For me, throw a mimosa and a good crossword puzzle on top and it's a pretty perfect day!
I was telling my partner last night that I've been getting Google News Alerts on "green building" since only one or two stories popped up a week - if I was lucky. That isn't the case anymore! The word "trend" is used freely with "green", and I wonder how long it will take for this "trend" to "tip" to the point that it is considered the norm and no longer just a trend. If it can be by the time my youngest child is grown with children of her own I will be ecstatic!
This thought has been with me as I've been reading "The Tipping Point" this week for the 2nd time. If you haven't yet read it, I highly recommend it - it's one of my favorite books.
So now that GREEN is all around - in our faces on a daily basis, on every magazine cover, the buzz word du jour - it's time for those of us who've been here to help educate those who haven't.
Just like the trend of "organic," it will be crucial to be aware of "greenwashing" when sorting through all of the new products and services entering the marketplace. Buyer beware.
Do your homework, find reputable sources, and remember that no one has your best interest more at heart than you.
"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."
- From The Great Law of The Iroquois Confederacy
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Green Consumerism
Sounds like a very nice Sunday, Stacey! For me, a good Sunday morning involves the NYT, a nice breakfast, a trip to the gym (or even better something outside), and not having to worry about working in the afternoon.
As for recent green trends and coverage, I came across this article yesterday which talks about green consumerism which is something I've been thinking a lot about lately :
http://tinyurl.com/33wgvl
The article discusses whether the marketing of green consumer products is a good thing or whether it entirely misses the point. I especially liked the closing paragraph:
“We didn’t find that people felt that their consumption gave them a pass, so to speak,” Mr. Shellenberger said. “They knew what they were doing wasn’t going to deal with the problems, and these little consumer things won’t add up. But they do it as a practice of mindfulness. They didn’t see it as antithetical to political action. Folks who were engaged in these green practices were actually becoming more committed to more transformative political action on global warming.”
- maxmsf
Green Consumerism - Take 2
That's a great article Max. If common sense were common, eh??!!
It's funny because I thought of myself when I lived in L.A. in the mid 90's. I drove a 1986 Ford Escort (which was the first car that I'd ever owned.) It was bought in Mpls., went with me to Chicago, then on to L.A. I made great money when I lived there and everyone would tease me about my car. I could have easily bought a new fancy car, but almost relished in people's reactions to what I drove - which in L.A. is fairly substantial... It still makes me giggle thinking about some of the events I would attend and pulling up to the valet in that little car, making it a point to show them how the windows "rolled" up and down!
I guess I'm happy that I grew up in a very Midwestern blue-collar family. I love the "hunt" of a yard sale or thrift store, I drive a 1997 Toyota Rav 4, and will probably drive it till it dies, I have forbidden cheap plastic kid crap in our house, blah blah blah.
I hope to see more articles like this one in the future. There needs to be a good shift in teaching people that being "green" is also using (and sometimes making better) what we already have (buildings, clothes, furniture, etc.) then incorporating healthier options/products when they must be replaced. I cringe when I have clients who want to tear down cool old houses with great "bones" to build a new one - what a waste! I'm usually on site to scavenge when I'm able.
We are all consumers for sure...
Baby steps!
Stacey Champion, CIE
Owner/Consultant
Champion Indoors, LLC/Champion Indoor Env. Services, LLC
"Dedicated to the mission of assisting in the creation of healthier indoor environments."