What does it mean to be green? The word has a range of meaning. To me, what green means at its core is clear: something that’s green takes into consideration that people and the environment are tied together. Green is the assumption that taking care of our host planet is the same as taking care of ourselves.
But green is growing to mean much more. In his article The Power of Green written for New York Times Magazine, Thomas L. Friedman does a fantastic job of explaining the widespread importance of the “green movement.” One conclusion he draws is, that for the sake of our children’s health and choices, American must see “green” as a way of life - nothing less. And while Mr. Friedman conveys some powerful points, he is taking the term green in a new direction.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mr. Friedman says that green has sometimes come to mean “liberal,” “tree-hugging,” “sissy,” “girlie-man,” “unpatriotic,” “vaguely French.” This life long Texan can vouch for that. Also, I received a letter from an office furniture store. In it, from “green” with envy to the “green” of dollars, their definition of green is all over the place.
The confusion continues: a “green” queen-size, mattress can cost $5,000 dollars or more. Is being green, being about able to afford the green choice? Is being green being rich?
The green movement is upon us and it is huge. Even Wal-Mart has gone green (or at least made a stab at it depending on one’s definition.) So, it’s natural that there are going to be varying definitions of the word green. Will green coalesce into a solid movement towards a sustainable era, or will its meaningfulness be lost as a victim of its own success? Time will tell. What does green mean to you?
The green movement is wonderful! And it also scares me. Great article today by Andrew Revkin in the New York Times: Carbon-neutral is hip, but is it green?
These issues are very complex. All the more reason to support the scientists. Without them, how will we ever figure things out? IMHO.
Deborah
buzzword ,rehtoric ,political, all come to mind but you tend to see the people that use it as the biggest violators. more and more people own s.u.v. and claim its to protect their children, yet it drives up consumption and demand for gas. also ironically they could protect their childrens children by buying a safe compact car that uses less gas.green is simply the cause that is vogue.