So what exactly is 'going green'? It's interesting asking people that question, who have never really been involved with environmental issues, or given them much critical thought. And it's those same people who will put bumper stickers on their cars, click on some so-called 'green page' add on a social network site, blindly donate money to some 'green' corporation which they know nothing about, and then will pat themselves on the back for 'going green', and saving the environment. Still there are knowledgable others who may be new to the Green Movement, or environmental issues, and will yell, get in your face, cajole, and try to make others feel guilty for not being as goody-goody as them. It's as if 'going green' has become a cliche, and the Green Movement has become a regime.

Going Green and environmental issues seem to be all over the place these days. It's about time. But the current environment regarding green issues reminds me of the early period of the second Iraq war. If someone opposed, they were either shouted down, or called unpatriotic. It also reminds me of some 'born again' Evangelical Christians, who in their well intentioned fervor, might preach, and try to spread 'the Word', while inadvertently turning others away from their holier than thou attitude. This is what the Green Movement has inadvertently become: a holier than thou regime. Questioning the regime's tactics and message can be a daunting task. But there are some legitimate questions to critically consider.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

In the past several years, there has been a huge push for consumer use of fluorescent light bulbs. These lights undoubtedly can save energy, and have a longer life than incandescent bulbs, though they initially cost more than the incandescent light bulb. But what some people may not be aware of is that fluorescent light bulbs have a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. And if one of those bulbs are broken and shatters, they should not be cleaned and handled as regular light bulbs, www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm.

'Green' Business & Corporations

What is a 'green' business? How often are people encouraged to click on an item on a social network site (i.e. Facebook, Myspace), and a certain percentage will supposedly go to environmental issues, or environmental or green organizations? How do people know how much of that money will actually go to environmental causes? Is it just a clever way to make extra revenue for the company? What is the environmental and social justice/human rights record of the business? Is it a multinational corporation, pretending to care about the environment, when its record actually show otherwise? And how is clicking on some site actually helping the environment, when those same clicking people make virtually no lifestyle changes regarding the environment, or going green?

Global Warming

The question really shouldn't be does global warming exist, but what can be done to help develop a cleaner environment. Are green house gases adding to global warming, and the depletion of the ozone? And are such manmade activities solely contributing to global warming? Is it cyclical, or a combination of both? Maybe, maybe not. But what should be more important is what can be done to reduce fog and pollution, and develop cleaner, more carbon neutral (if that exists) energy. Just as recent as the 1970s and 1980s, there was a major concern with global cooling.

Think Globally, Act Locally

This is an old term that seems to have been forgotten in the Green Regime Movement, at least to those preachy, in your face, goody-goodys, who just blindly follow what the media, and everyone else seems to be doing. At least with this concept, it just seems more honest, and not so intrusive.  It's more personal.  So what does it mean? It depends upon the person. It means doing what you can locally to recycle, clean, plant trees, and reduce carbon footprints. This can be done by driving less (if possible), walking more, cycling, taking public transportation, and car pooling. Using non-toxic/organic cleaning products in the home, can also help with reducing hazardous waste. So, if more people do what they can within their own means locally, and in their communities, then supposedly, the planet and the overall environment will benefit. If no one decides to do nothing, then nothing will inevitably get done, or be accomplished.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

This is also another term that seems to have been forgotten, and seems more honest, and less intrusive.  Basically, the goal is to try to reduce waste as much as possible, reuse whatever when possible, and recycle, so that waste could be reused in, and as other products. More and more cities, towns, and municipalities have, or are considering recycling policies and programs. 

Who doesn't want clean water, clean air, and a cleaner environment? The article is not meant to be anti-environmental.  It's quite the opposite.  The point is that there are those who have been environmentally conscious, and 'green' well before it was cool be so.  Being green is more than just some slogans, or a fad, but is a lifestyle change.  Terms like 'think globally, act locally, and 'reduce, reuse, recycle' really mean something.  Some people are more diligent about environmental issues than others. That's fine for them. But screaming about it, cajoling, and pre-judging, with a do goody-goody, holier than thou attitude, can definitely push people away from an important message. The cause may not necessarily be the problem, but the tactics of how to solve the problem definitely can.

Shabazz Wilson

Some Resources:

www.thedailygreen.com/going-green

www.earthshare.org/green-tips.html

http://greengoingtips.com