Jumping on the bandwagon

Don't be in a hurry to jump on the green bandwagon.

We have all turned more attention to environmental issues, the news is obsessing over CO2 emissions and global warming, and corporations are rushing to become more "environmentally responsible". Meanwhile, environmentalists can't decide if they are ecstatic that society is beginning to wake up and make some changes, or if they are to slap the mess out of everyone and say "I told you so".

So now that being green is cool, don't get your shorts in a knot to get behind the wheel of that new hybrid.

I'm not saying that hybrids are no good. It is an important step in the right direction. Unfortunately, the dependency upon oil will not die easily. This will be a long tiring process with no easy answers.

Going green means doing your homework. Because it is the latest and greatest thing, there will be many, many new products and ideas which come and go. Most will attempt to sell us on the notion that we are being environmentally friendly when purchasing this or that, but the fact of the matter is that being green and attempting to maintain our old lifestyles do not go hand in hand...

My concern, is that as time goes on, and as fads come and go, being green will fade away and people will go back to their old habits. I think that if fuel prices begin to drop, (analysts predict that it won't) the average American will gradually begin to fall back into old habits. Another concern, is that people will buy into some of these overly hyped fads, feel satisfied that they have done their part, and leave it at that.

The real point behind going green is to develop life long habits which are as low impact as possible. This goes so much deeper than just our transportation choices. Its got to do with the way we run our homes, the products we buy (or vow not to buy), how we manage our waste, what we eat and what we do for entertainment. Too many people are buying into "green" and comparing CO2 offsets as if comparing penis sizes. Its no different than keeping up with the Jones' with the biggest house, nicest lawn, fastest car and coolest toys. Sure, the effort is making a difference, regardless of motivation, so as long as the effort continues to be made, its good. And that's the point.

Going green doesn't do very much good if it is only temporary. The best thing we can each do to start is to adjust our lifestyles. Consume less. Simplify. Learn more. Make educated purchases. Everything we do has an environmental impact from buying a new car to scrubbing the kitchen floors. It is a lifestyle choice, one which takes many small steps in the right direction- not one which can be bought with the latest sales gimmicks.