What I find specious in the so-called "green noise" complaint is that it perpetuates the concept of passive consumerism, as well as unchecked consumerism -- as if the solution to our woes is to simply find the "correct" products. Responsible consumerism looks at the broader picture: Am I buying more than I need? Where is this stuff coming from? What happens to it when I'm done with it? (One example of misguided consumerism is the assumption that "compostable" means the item will actually be composted.)
Responsible consumerism asks us to do our research and to think carefully about each choice. It does no good to be petulant when new information arises. When I talk to groups about "greening" their wardrobes, I try to stay away from specific recommendations on new products, for the very reason that I can't easily verify their earth- and people-friendliness. I give a nod to organic cotton which I do believe in supporting; I advise reading labels for Fair Trade, union-made, locally-made, organic; but ultimately, I quote the advice of the Union of Concerned Scientists, which is that the best choice for limiting new impact on the environment is to choose second-hand and vintage clothing. Buy less, buy more wisely, use what you already own, and then -- because this is still a consumer economy -- shift your savings to something else, such as locally-produced foods, a purchase at local green business, or a massage. So what if "gray" is the new "green"? What made us think that becoming more sustainable would be simple and straightforward? These are exceedingly complex times. We need to be nimble, alert, flexible, open to change, and then more change, and more after that. Glad I got that off my chest! My replies to this list sometimes trigger discussion, so if that's the case this time, please consider OFFLINE responses to spare those who don't want to get involved in this one. Wendy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elan Shapiro" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 7:10 AM Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Challenges of marketing eco-sustainability > Disclaimer: This is in the Sunday Style section of the Sunday NY > Times, so it lacks broad based thinking, but still has some useful > insights and connections, imho. > > > That Buzz in Your Ear May Be Green Noise > By ALEX WILLIAMS > Sunday NY Times Style Section June 15, 2008 > > http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/fashion/15green.html?ref=science > -- > > Elan Shapiro > Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator > Sustainable Living Associates, Principal > Frog's Way B&B > 211 Rachel Carson Way > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell > > "We must be the change we want to see in the world" > Mohandas Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > [email protected] > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
