Back in July when gas prices were over $4 and friends were actually thinking about turning in their trucks for hybrids, I felt really good. Vindicated, almost, that the premium I paid for my Prius was actually worth it. I wasn't happy about anybody suffering at the pump, but relieved that something was being done to level the playing field between oil and the other green alternatives like solar and wind. For so long low oil prices made the economics of green a hard sell,but when gas prices shot up and the shock of filling up for a hundred bucks knocked people for a loop, green was suddenly really cool. It didn't really matter that products like CFL bulbs and non-toxic detergents cost a bit more, they were green and being green was the only thing that was going to save us from ourselves in a time of desperate over-consumption. And then it happened. The economy is tanking gas prices are falling to eight year lows, and people are suddenly questioning the need to run out and buy a hybrid car or invest in a home or business solar system. "It's the economy, stupid," has never made so much sense to so many people. I'll go green again when I can afford it. Well, I'm here to tell you being green is everybody's business. From the solar installers to the guys who make the kitchen counter tops out of recycled glass and pottery, it's up to the green community to throttle up and serve notice that we can't wait for the thieves on Wall Street to fix things for us. Being green isn't just our business, it's the way we're going to save our communities around this country and the world. It's time to take the "D" out of GREED and replace with an N. NOW is the time for GREEN.
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Going Green in Down Economy
You couldn't have paralleled our thoughts more. We were excited about the possible influences the high gas prices could cause and were hoping the trend would continue. And we believe in continuing a green life style in spite of the turn of the economy. Our shopping choices have not changed... we shop at the local co-op for food, and try to shop through green sites for household items we cannot get in our small town. And we are building a green spec house even though friends and family think we are nuts. It is time for a leap of faith. With the new administration, this IS the time to think and ACT green. This is the best opportunity we've had in years on the political front. If the administration can put more emphasis and funding on eco-friendly industry, everyone has to get on board now. We cannot assume that others will do it for us and we will set back till green is more common and less costly.