Why Canada Is The Best Haven From Climate Change Independent Online The best-to-worst rankings are revealed in the first-ever climate change vulnerability index, produced by Maplecroft, a British consultancy which specialises in the mapping of risk.
Time Square's 1st "Eco-Friendly" Billboard Coming Xinhua The first"eco-friendly" billboard is scheduled to go up in Times Square in December, said Ricoh Americas Corp. on Tuesday. The electronic billboard, entirely powered by the sun and wind, is the first of its kind.
Toilets Go Green At G8 Summit USA Today Toilets that take on a life of their are now very much on the green landscape, so to speak.
Wiry and spry with thin, long, fingers, Mr. Pelle has done most of his life's work by hand, from measuring clients and drawing patterns to cutting and sewing fabric. Like most master tailors, Mr. Pelle, when he constructs a suit in house, uses a sewing machine only for the long seams on the arms and legs.
July 14, 2008
Businesses are jumping on, and it is estimated that the total "environmentally friendly" profits this year will be extremely friendly, at over $10 billion.
Hollywood is on the cover of Vanity Fair’s “Green issue,” and pop stars like Kelly Clarkson and Lenny Kravitz headline acts at Live Earth concerts at sites around the world.
Investors are on board. With roughly $1 out of every $10 invested in stocks in the Unites States flowing into “green” conscious companies and, according to Wall Street, “You can expect a virtuoso performance.”
More consumers are in, everyday, with some 35 million Americans buying products that claim to be Earth-friendly — everything from organic beeswax lipstick from the west Zambian rainforest, to eco-friendly caviar and organic Rib T bones for dogs. And if you want to drive your dedicated eco-friendly friends green with envy, you can have an eco-friendly coffin in wicker or willow.
(It's also nice to know you can pay for it all with credit cards that rack up carbon offsets for every purchase.)
Just when we thought we were being noble, Alex Steffen, the executive editor of Worldchanging.com says, “There is a very common mind-set right now which holds that all that we’re going to need to do to avert the large-scale planetary catastrophes upon us is make slightly different shopping decisions.”
Especially when those shopping decisions themselves are fraught. As in the case of Wal-mart, a bandwagon come lately who has been putting pressure on their suppliers to sell them “green” for less. Consequently, a huge organic dairy, like Aurora, is not giving cows enough time to graze on grass, which doesn't meet the organic standard. And I won't even mention the many small producers that haven't bothered to get certified at all and count on their customers to trust that they use non-toxic methods.
So if we even accept the fact that organic is healthier for us and the planet how do we know we’re getting what we pay for?
Green politics doesn't bother to answer that question. They're too busy shoehorning into other areas like feminism, civil justice and rejecting violent pursuits like the war on terror.
George Black isn't shy on the subject. An editor and a columnist at OnEarth, a quarterly journal of the Natural Resources Defense Council, he recently summed up the explosion of high-style green consumer items as “eco-narcissism.”
Don’t get me wrong. I think some eco-narcissism is necessary. But maybe it's not enough to build a vacation home of recycled lumber when the real way to reduce one’s “carbon footprint” is to only own one home. Or, perhaps, instead of buying 12 pairs of organic cotton t-shirts at $50 each, we just buy a few regular ones.
In light of all this, where does it all leave the "responsible" consumer? Do we continue to pay higher prices for "organic" products that may not be what they claim to be? Do we demand better eco-labeling? And, until then, do we look eco-guilt straight in the face and say to the bandwagon, "Keep going?"
Just asking.
Share the Eye:
Investors See Green In Green? allbusiness.com Recognizing an opportunity, several years ago a group of investors formed Cleantech Venture Network. The Network provides a forum where eco-friendly start-ups can get their business plans in front of the firm´s investors.
10 Ways To Go Green at Work typepad.com/greenlife Some simple changes of habit can save energy and resources at work, and these small steps can be multiplied by persuading the powers-that-be at your workplace to adopt environmentally friendly (and often cost-effective) policies.
Green Party History pbs.org The U.S. Greens trace their roots to many places. The European Greens, who first organized as an anti-nuclear, pro-peace movement at the height of the Cold War, brought the Greens their first major visibility.
I do believe that the fast growing organic “cash cow†industries have successfully replaced o...
Jul. 14, 2008 11:59 AM
Who does the green industry benefit the most?
75% 0% 25% 0%
Dutchman said...
Nobody's jumping in on this bandwagon yet, so I'll jump on. I think what's happening in the "Green" industry is a crime. Maybe Congress can stop investigating secular non issues like steroids and deal with important stuff like industry preying on our collective guilt by selling us products that are not sanctioned by the FDA or any known regulatory body. Mothers duped into buying "organic" milk for their children at triple the cost of the regular stuff? Where is the government when we need them? Arlen Spector? We have a real cause.
Gia said...
Big business has always wanted to give the consumer what they want...however in this case the fear of shrinking profits seems to be overriding what is a noble cause.
I do believe that the fast growing organic “cash cow†industries have successfully replaced organized religion as being the most effective user of “GUILT†as an incentive for people to change their behaviors. It is close to the point that to dare to question the ethics and intentions of the organic movement/industry is akin to saying something really nasty about Mother Theresa.
Of course we want our planet and all of its inhabitants to live in harmony and good health. I think a good first step towards making this happen would be to conduct an all out, desperate search and rescue mission to find “common sense†and “ethics†so they can participate in this quest. They have both noticeably absent from government and business for quite some time now and we could all use their help.
more on the honor rollJillyBean said...
It’s a shame how even the most noble cause, like going green to save the planet, can be manipulated for corporate gain.
But even if these corporations are preying on our eco-guilt, at least we’re all considering the state of the planet and taking action - futile and misguided as it may currently be. We have to start somewhere, and I think eco-profiteering, as well as eco-narcissism (I love that term), are at least first steps in the right direction.
jmr said...
Sure the green movement can be considered a "bandwagon," but is that a total bad thing? Maybe our shopping choices wont save the planet, but better we try in what little ways we can. There have been lots of other "bandwagons"--sufferage, civil rights, feminism. These things may have seen silly to some at the time? Would it have been better if nobody jumped on?
JillyBean said...
Agreed, jmr.
zackchange said...
I totally agree with jillybean and jmr.
zackchange said...
Plus having "eco-guilt" is not a bad thing, if that means being more mindful of the environment.
Bubba said...
The problem, as I see it, is that green industry still promotes a pro-buying message. That's OK for necessities like food. But otherwise, it's important to remember that the most ecologically responsible doodad is the one you don't buy.
Would it not be wonderful if for once we could all get on the same page and do what is right and for the right reasons. It's just this silly dream I have. Progress without deception.
An educated consumer should be the one to create the demand and a responsive, responsible, and ethical producer should supply it. Now if that were to happen in this little utopia, we wouldn't need a bunch of bureaucratic federal agencies to inefficiently add no value to the process.
A change for the better, even if it is caused by "eco-guilt", is a positive step. Unless of course, it distorts the big picture and slows down the development of bolder and better long-term solutions.
We all desire what benefits us and our planet. Our collective behavior will only change if the consequences of that behavior are certain. That's why an educated consumer is so important.
p.s., I apologize if I've been too preachy. It's merely a semi-passionate statement of my opinion.
...... just one more thought and I promise that "I will not inflict myself on you any further" (D. Hickman to Jane Fonda in "Cat Ballou") today.
I don't begrudge any business it's profits, as long as they are not earned on the backs of consumers through deception. As Warren Beatty said in "Heaven Can Wait", "be the good-guy company, the good tuna company that doesn't let dolphins get caught up in their nets"
Spinner said...
P.L., Here, here! I just think about those poor Asian girls working in sweat houses producing all these "eco-" products. And isn't China among those that are fussing about the US out-put of greenhouse gases? And isn't Beijing so polluted that the IOC is concerned about the world athletes having to compete in the smog? There is definitely a problem here and we ALL have to work on it. The consumer, the manufacturer, the distributor, the governments. Yes, it starts at home, but those a bit higher up need to have just as much concern and educate us consumers and educate us with correct data.
JillyBean said...
Thanks, ZackChange!
I just want to start by saying I am not a HUGE believer in the whole Carbon Footprint ideal.
On that note though ~ I do believe there is no harm in doing what is right for the enviroment when one can & one should. Consumerism is at a all time high along with marketing & advertising idelas that are let's say a little "less than truthful"
I'm with Dutchman about what's happening in the "Green" industry being a crime. There should be stornger regulations & inspections on the "Green" producers so that we know that our hard earned money isn't being wasted by some smart marketing scheme.
Even informed consumers get the wool pulled over their eyes at times & that is to a lot of people the part of what becomes the breaking point in trying to be enviromental conscience when it comes to shopping.
I know I said I would not inflict myself upon you any further today but I’m afraid I can’t keep that promise….. yet.
Just one oversimplified thought. The old eighty-twenty rule.
Basic management/quality control theory states that if you identify and attack the top 20% root causes, you will fix 80% of the resulting problems.
Every little bit does help, all our individual ecological good deeds make us feel better for doing the right thing, but it’s the top 20% of the problems that have to be fixed; regardless of any corporate/geopolitical opposition that may be in the way, in order to make significant progress.
Dutchman said...
Peter, your inflictions are always welcome. I think what Bubba said might be profound, and I finally think I understood it... in that any gadget you buy is not eco-friendly.
Then there's this so called healthy spring water that's flooding the planet in slightly more environmentally friendly plastic. Talk about an oxymoron. And there's the hypocracy of E-friendly John Revolta flying around in non eco friendly private jets. At least he's not a Scientologist. Then again...
Lovey said...
Personally, all of this eco-junk is simply becoming a matter of convinience.
My friends and I plan to go on a picnic together, and I am to bring salad and bread.
I can walk to the closest grocery store, which just so happens to only stock organic and locally grown produce. The gas money I didn't spend [along with my co-op discount] somewhat counteracts the higher prices of the food. The canvas tote bag I got when they opened the store eliminates the need for plastic bags, and tomorrow my friends and I are carpooling to the local park to enjoy our organic lunch.
Reducing our carbon footprint is actually easier than increasing it.
...
Take that, naysayers.
ticking thyme bomb said...
Seems like all this "GO GREEN!" stuff started out fine. I certainly have no problem with friendly reminders to reuse and recycle. I think it also has made me more conscientious about using containers that are not disposable---It drives me crazy when people in my own household use bottled water when they can just get some from the tap.
Somewhere along the line, however it all seemed to reach a fever pitch and now it has descended into ridiculousness. I have actually seen coffee cups and T-shirts which say "Go Green". It has become another ploy to sell us more unnecessary stuff. Perhaps a more accurate slogan would be:
" $ MAKE US MORE GREEN $".
This "green bandwagon" is absolutely insulting! Americans should have been doing this 20 years ago, now its just a fad like everything else in America! Sometimes I am so embarrased to live in this country.
thecatalyst said...
Count me as one confused consumer at this point. I do want to be a responsible consumer (and inhabitant of the planet Earth). But someone please tell me at what point the guilt should set in. With the planet in peril, should I only be purchasing the bare necessities? Is it immoral to eat something that is not organic and locally grown? Is it bad that I so enjoy watching my large, flat-screen TV? Maybe I should get a wood frame for it so it will appear more eco-friendly should someone stop by.
The "green building" movement is another case to study. Green building has been with us for many years. First, the framing is wood, the drywall is gypsum, the pipes and wiring are copper and iron. The wall paper is paper (duh!), the garden is organic. Even the concrete is from natural materials.
What isn't "green" about a house. Even the marble, granite and stone used in a house is natural. The pvc pipes are petroleum based. The majority of items in your house are either wood or petroleum based. Last I recall petroleum is a natural substance.
If "green" is recyling" of building materials, that's currently going on. It makes sense to recycle old houses. The old wood is still usuable and is used all the time.
If they want to have "green" paint they can go back to old-fashioned milk based paints. The old painters use to urinate in the paint to give it some extra adhesion to the wall.....how more natural (or "green") is that?
A lot of old buildings, when dismantled, head south to Mexico for further use in buildings for the poor.
The problem is "green" housing, as envisioned by those "not in the know", is costly. The cost savings over time are dubious since most people live in a house five to seven years. They sell long before the cost savings become apparent for them.
Now, I like silk ties, sometimes a wool suit, cotton socks, and leather shoes. That's not "green" enough?
What's immoral is the idea that we have exploited and ravage the earth to enjoy the good life. There are people who want us to go back to the "good old days" and have a more "natural" lifestyle. My Grandparents lived in those "good old days". Unfortunately, they're here to tell you about the pleasures of the "good old days". So, I'll speak for them.......you're living in the "good old days". Enjoy yourself and stop feeling guilty!
Oops! I meant to say my Grandparents are "not" hear to tell you about the pleasures of the "good old days". Just as well, they'd be embarassed to have to explain it to everyone.
wino said...
In tracing the beginning of one's eco-guilt, I am constantly led back to the same ad from the 70's - you know the one with the native american in full traditional garb standing on the side of the highway shedding a tear as a woman hurls her trash from a passing stationwagon.
Here's to you, "Big Chief Pick it Up", we are all finally paying$$$ for our sins.
This bandwagon, like so many socio-political issues in the news, is very of-the-moment. In the immortal words of George Orwell, "Donkeys live a long time. None of you have ever seen a dead donkey."