a rant dedicated to our planet
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:02 pm | miscellany | Post a CommentAs I’m sure everyone and their momma noticed, today is Earth Day. (Also, my sister’s 25th birthday — happy second quarterlife, sis!) Everywhere you look these days, it’s all about being “green” and “organic” and “sustainable.” Seriously — everywhere. I watched What Not to Wear recently and they made over a slob who runs a recycling program by helping her buy $5,000 of “eco-friendly” clothes. And honestly, if I had to listen to Stacy London say the word “eco-friendly” one. more. damn. time. in that episode I was going to blow my brains out.
It’s not that I don’t love our planet, or don’t think that we need to change our ways to make sure we can continue to live here for many more years. It’s just that I am so over the idea that to BE GREEN I need to BUY MORE STUFF.
Tell me, what do you think is more green?
A. Buying a brand new piece of furniture made from sustainably harvested wood that, despite it’s “eco-friendliness,” still had to be chopped down, manufactured, and transported to your home, most likely in a gas-guzzling giant truck.
or
B. Buying a used piece of furniture from someone in your neighborhood that you found in the classifieds, which requires absolutely no new raw materials and very minimal transportation and no giant, smog-spewing trucks.
Now class, here is where you all answer B!!!
What about this scenario?
A. Spending gobs of cash on “green” clothing that will probably be out of style by the fall. ($60 t-shirts?!?!?)
or
B. Buying high-quality, long lasting items for your wardrobe that you can wear for many years without them falling apart or becoming dated and donating all that money you saved not buying a $60 tshirt to an environmental advocacy organization that has the ablility to leverage your dollars into meaningful policy change.
Once again, it’s B!
I don’t want to discourage making better small choices, because I know they have the ability to add up to big change when we all do them together. I wrote about this last year. However, I want to avoid the blatant consumerism that now surrounds “going green.”
Truly going green does not mean buying more stuff! Taking care of our earth means REDUCING the amount of things we buy. And it means REUSING those things that we do buy. And then, when a thing has no more use to you, it’s finding a better home for it, ideally not the trash. (Yeah, the 3rd R: RECYLCING.)
Sorry to go all 5th grade teacher mode on you, I’m not preaching to anyone specifically. I just am increasingly annoyed at environmentalism being a marketer’s wet dream and not as focused on living simpler lives. I know I’m not perfect either, and I hope that I continue to improve in this area.
Just please don’t ask me to buy bamboo pants.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, my dear. Very well stated! Though, of a related note, I did happen to watch Oprah last week as she asked two families to begin cutting back on resource-sapping things like electricity, plastic water bottles and unused food. It was very interesting!
written by Nilsa S.
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I swear I was going to write a post today about this very thing! I googled “going green” and a few other terms last night and most EVERYTHING that I found was “buy this for $200″ or “buy that for $550″. It was ridiculous. I even found a website for green gifts and there were only 4 or 5 things under $50! And the things were like, A TOWEL! Even the flip flops were over fifty bucks. Insane!! When did being green become more about making a buck (or 50) and less about saving our plant?
written by barnmouse
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
Love this! You are hitting the nail on the head with the “marketers wet dream” comment. It’s just like everything else; any time a trend becomes mainstream, the consumer ad execs figure out a way to make it make THEM money.
Buying used is nearly always better for the environment, AND (once you re-do it/add your touches) it ensures that you will have a totally unique piece! It’s a win-win.
written by elise
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I’m also annoyed at how being earth-friendly has become the new hott trend. I mean, I’m glad it’s actually in people’s minds to be environmentally conscious, but you said it: there are so many small, FREE ways to reduce waste, but what fun is that for marketers?
The first R: Reduce is so often ignored, too.
written by Operation Pink Herring
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
I’m so glad you wrote this - I’d never thought about it from this perspective, and what you said made so much sense.
written by Jennie
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Really great post. I couldn’t agree more.
written by Janssen
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Well said Janet! I think being Green is all about what we can reduce and reuse and not what we can buy and be all trendy about.
written by katelin
April 22nd, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Here here! I just sent this around to my office and reminded them to please remember the environment before printing the email out.
Good work, Jaynet.
written by Megan
April 22nd, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
A-men!!!!
written by Kelly
April 22nd, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
Love it! And I vote B, B & B. (Wait, was there a 3rd ‘B’?)
xox
written by heidikins
April 22nd, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
You are ABSOLUTELY right!
written by AuburnKat
April 22nd, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
Did you see What Not to Wear this last weekend? It was a “go green” episode and I loved that they showed the woman getting a “vintage” (read: USED) outfit for less then $30. That’s what it’s all about!
written by isabel
April 22nd, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
I LOVED this post. So very true. I did buy a Sigg bottle today thou because of all of the BPA issues and trying to stop using old water bottles. We’ll see how it goes.
written by Nic
April 22nd, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
So true. All of it. “Eco” fashion is so absolutely ridiculous and overpriced. It has definitely been interesting to watch all of this unfold over the past few years…
written by Emily
April 22nd, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
I totally agree. I hate how trendy and celebritized being smart about resources has become, but whenever I express this disdain, I sound like a horrible person. No matter what anybody says, I do not agree that Al Gore did anything to advance world PEACE.
written by RA
April 22nd, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
I must admit that I started buying Shaklee cleaning supplies because of Oprah’s earth day extravaganza last year. I love the stuff, the only problem is that I have to have it shipped from Cali. On top of that it seems like the packing is insane–they love the little air packets, and they are recyclable… just not by the company that comes by to pick up our recyclables.
I am, however, joining the Farm to Work program in which I get 20 lbs of fresh produce from a local farm delivered to my work for $25. I get to eat healthier AND not have my fruits and veggies shipped from Argentina.
written by katina
April 22nd, 2008 @ 11:14 pm
You are SO RIGHT. It is Earth Day and I’m ashamed to mention that I hadn’t realized that my thought this afternoon about how the notion of “going green” is everywhere might be related to the increased attention today. Anyway- walking into the polling place, I’m handed about a half inch thick stack of papers (when I already knew who I was voting for). I immediately think, “what a waste”. Candidates are talking about making better environmental choices yet haven’t cut down on the trees their chopping for their campaign.
Your post got me fired up. I’m going to have to refer others to it.
written by Kassie
April 22nd, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
You are so right. Retailers are marketing up Earth Day more than they have President’s Day in the past. But with the condition of the economy, you kind of have to wonder who is that naive! oh wait.. there are those tons of people that know what Britney Spears did last night, but probably not that there was a Primary going on!
written by Jane
April 23rd, 2008 @ 6:44 am
You are right, eco friendly is not just buying into the marketing excitement, but it is buying sustainable products when you do buy products. I heard an interesting story yesterday about how sustainable isnt always organic. It will last forever- but is up the owner not to replace it when it isnt broken.
I dont think it is always an A or B answer but is up to the individual and what they can do. If those shirts (or whatever) raise awareness, I think that’s great. As someone who has been a quiet recycler/reducer/reuser for awhile, I am glad we are discussing being earth friendly, even if it is overdone in the marketing world. It’s about time!
I’d personally like to hear how people are outsmarting the marketing and doing SOMETHING.
written by alexa
April 23rd, 2008 @ 8:29 am
YES!
(Al is somewhere shaking his head at this “eco”-consumerism)
Thanks for taking Earth Day back from the manufacturers!!
written by Marisa
April 23rd, 2008 @ 10:12 am
Exactly! Here’s mine: choice A is buying a newly-built, “green” condo. Choice B: staying in my 1250-square-foot, circa 1957 house. Hmm, have we lost all reason here? It’s the marriage of American consumerism with the newest trend, being “green.”
written by suz
April 23rd, 2008 @ 11:01 am
A-
EFFING-
MEN.
I couldn’t have said it better myself
written by Valerie
April 23rd, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Hear! Hear! Good one, Janet. I was just talking to Hub-E about this last night. About people who go all out to remodel their house so it is “green”, yet what is happening with all the trash and waste that they are pulling out of their house? Most likely going into a land fill. I mean, sure, replace what you need to and I’m not saying to live with green shag carpet and dark paneled walls. But, like you said, let’s focus on reducing and reusing, not just buying green.
written by Chiada
April 23rd, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
Great perspective. I never really thought of it that way. I haven’t been spending money on green, just recycling, cutting down on car trips and other small steps.
written by Kim
April 23rd, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
Great post. The one thing about going green you will not see marketed is consuming less. No matter what, businesses still want our money. Green consumer is a bit of an oxymoron.
written by Olivia
April 23rd, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Comes out of lurking. . .
Amen sister. Thank you for saying this. I completely agree 100 percent.
I saw a “dress my nest” where Thom did everything “green.” It drove me crazy!!!
written by alas
April 23rd, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
I agree 100% with you. I am not some environmental hippie, but someone who is trying to make small changes to be more “green” (i.e., reuseable shopping bags, using my own glass instead of a styrofoam cup at lunch every day, fluorescent bulbs, all that). I just this lunchtime went to a company seminar about recycling given by some local EPA employees, and they have this little pyramid chart showing which ways are the best ways to dispose of waste and “be green”. And DUH, reusing and reducing was the base of the pyramid, followed by recycling, and then energy recapture and then of course throwing something away.
But of course companies wants our money so are jumping on the go green band wagon. HOWEVER, it is at least good to know that when you are buying something new, it is sustainable or organic or local or whatever else is good for us to do these days.
written by Charise
April 23rd, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
Absolutely fabulous post. It’s a literary slap upside the head and it should be published somewhere so that the entire world can read it.
written by Allison
April 23rd, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Totally agree!
I’m not about to say we’re completely “green” but last night we had a similar conversation - why was earth day all about spending money this year?
Every channel and all the news programs were selling stuff - and I’m not sure that just because something says it is “green” means it is.
I have to admit I am kind of glad (tv-wise) that earth day is over. It was very commercial this year.
written by Laural
April 23rd, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Amen. On one hand I’m excited about all the “green” marketing going on. We have more variety and availability of organic foods in the market, we are thinking about our electricity use and it’s footprint on the earth, we are reusing bags instead of tossing them. At the same time, you are absolutely right, the enthusiasm is there because corporations are making money off this.
But so are artists. Look at the movement to recycle old clothes into new. (I love this.)
Very thoughtful post.
written by Hänni
April 23rd, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
A-FUCKING-MEN Sister.
AMEN.
written by Julie
April 23rd, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Now, if only everyone who was trying to make the world a better place would have such great insight and wisdom.
written by Nathan Pralle
April 23rd, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
Wow! That was awesome!
written by Chrissy
April 23rd, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
So absolutely true. Happy Earth Day!
written by Lele
April 24th, 2008 @ 2:11 am
Here, here! The whole trendy-green-consumerism thing is a little frustrating to me, too. On one hand, it’s great that so much awareness is being raised and there seems to be a lot of energy behind making changes, but on the other hand, the message gets a bit skewed.
Reminds me of the way Toyota’s fleet emissions statistics went way down the year the Prius was introduced… but it wasn’t because of the Prius. It was because they improved fuel efficiency on the Corolla (a far more affordable car).
There are a lot of different ways to reduce your impact on the environment, but most of them don’t involve buying more! new! green! stuff.
written by Laurel
April 24th, 2008 @ 11:44 am
“Live life simply, so others may simply live” - Gandhi
nice post janet.
written by Dugi.
April 24th, 2008 @ 11:58 am