It’s Not Easy Being Green

Posted by Matt Cipriano | 2 Comments

So I was going to write about the new trendiness of being Green, but instead I will take a cue from the NY Times and just mention how pricey it can be. The NY Times had a piece this past weekend on  the high cost of living Green, and how by slapping th words “organic” or “green” or “environment” on to a label jacks up the price. Unfortunately, I am at a loss for locating the article to post here. Instead I will go back to focusing on the new trend that is Green and as an example I will throw-up the NY Times “The Business of Green: A Special Section.”

Though I am not against being Green, I am a bit concerned about the fad like qualities the recent Green movement seems to be exemplifying. With last years An Inconvenient Truth and everyone getting panicked over our dependence on Middle Eastern oil there has been a rise in  making a conscious effort to be a bit more green in our personal lives. Even some big businesses are working on models to become more green. I have to admit, I am a cynic though, I don’t believe the hype.

While there is a call for personal responsibility in being Green, it doesn’t quite feel like enough is being done to see this as a serious trend. Companies like BP are touting the work they do with alternative energy- But they are still a Petroleum company. GM still is cranking out Hummers and SUVs are still top sellers across the board. Car companies put enough research into alternative fuel sources to know that it is not yet worth their time or money to produce cars that run off something other then gas.

Limiting companies carbon emissions offsetting is a joke. When companies only need to buy or trade another companies offset what difference does it make. Until the government actually looks at the damage we are doing seriously and starts making regulations that will help our environment then buying organic recycled toilet paper, while a nice start, isn’t going to make much of a difference.

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