Does Being Green Hurt the Economy?
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Save Money on Things, Spend it on Services!
This is a thought that I have all the time, but rarely see it raised (perhaps it is just way too un-politically correct). Does being green - ie. consuming less, wasting less, being efficient in our usage of -well- everything -- mean we are going to eventually hurt our consumer economy and cause the loss of manufacturing and other jobs?
Well, I am no economist, and therefore don't have the answer. But I do have an answer to my own question.
Although by being green we will inevidibly be spending less (saving more!) on material things, that just frees up our own money for other - less consumeristic things!
Like What?
hmmmmm.....welll, like...
- massages
- charity
- counselling
- yoga classes
- life coaching
- accountants to do the boring work
- babysitting so we can spend more time with our partners
- education
- facials
- music (downloaded, of course)
- good preventitive medical care
- art lessons
- club memberships
You get the point. So instead of feeling like you are scrooging yourself by holding back on the endless purchasing, think of all the quality services you can indulge in with all the money you save! And, how much nicer is it to support jobs in education or massage instead of factory work.
Think About It!
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Comments
I love the idea of using my money on more service-based things. I recently hired a housekeeper, and she is the best blessing to me right now. Your list of other services that are basically life-enhancers makes me want to conserve more!
That makes sense. We're more and more a service economy anyway! Its all good then.
Yes! I almost put housekeeping on my list....but then felt I would need to qualify it with disclaimers about using green cleaning products :). A housekeeper is on the top of my list of things when I have any room in my budget!
Green cleaning products would be a GREAT next hub!!!
Who cares if being green DOES hurt the economy? Not me - I prefer to have less money and feel like I am making a positive contribution else where. At the end of the day, the economy and being green will always be in conflict. Take a look at this video - I love this woman.
Actually, if companies worried more about being green, they would have some accountability. This would make them less product producing, and more service oriented. There is a company in Seattle focusing on this kind of idea. Take carpet, for example. They make carpeting that is environmentally friendly. They lay it out in smaller sections, instead of one long, wall to wall roll. They also don't sell it to the consumer, but lease it. When heavily trafficked areas wear out, instead of replacing the entire carpet, only the worn or damaged sections are replaced. Because the product is leased, it belongs to the producer. This creates company accountability, leading to better quality products. As well, the company is not only producing products, but also has them focus on service.
thooghun says:
2 years ago
I agree. If we suddenly all became green, we'd shake up the business foundations somewhat. It would be something of market-place free-for-all as new ideas and designs find their niches and ranks. That's what makes me believe we are fed the notion that going green is hurtfull. Simply because it threatens the structure.
I'm not an ecnomist, so feel free to correct me. My idea is that we are, and will remain consumers, we'll just be consuming different things.