Recently, we've noticed a few articles in major media outlets making distinctions between "light" and "bright" green consumers and environmentalists. First, we caught "Green Envy," an opinion piece by Jane Powell which ran in the San Francisco Chronicle in May. Then on Sunday, we read "Buying into the Green Movement," by Alex Williams, in the New York Times' Style section.
The point of both articles (at the risk of grossly over-generalizing) is that the current green movement and green consumerism isn't actually doing the environment any favors. Powell argues that "green building is a good idea, and certainly if you're going to build or remodel, try to be as green as possible -- but don't fool yourself that it's going to save the planet," while Williams has a bit more sense of humor about the situation: "It’s as though the millions of people whom environmentalists have successfully prodded to be concerned about climate change are experiencing a SnackWell’s moment: confronted with a box of fat-free devil’s food chocolate cookies, which seem deliciously guilt-free, they consume the entire box, avoiding any fats but loading up on calories."
We agree with both writers on one point: Reducing our consumption is the first step towards a greener lifestyle. However, are they being too harsh on people who are trying to change their habits? Is being light green better than not being green at all? Or is it just a band-aid that allows us to ignore the larger illness?
What are your thoughts?
image Revelation Studios, Craig LaRotonda
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I helped create the BG store
I helped create the BG store on StarStyle.com which lead me to research the environmentally conscious products Kevin uses in his house as well as other "green chic" products. While I agree with the thrust of these articles, I also believe that our choices as consumers support and reinforce our political and social decisions. While the best decisions might be to ultimately consume less, making responsible decisions about what we do consume are for many people a gateway to more serious activism. In my opinion, very few will see wearing organic Edun jeans as a large enough contribution to environmental activism once they become more deeply engaged.