[SustainableTompkins] Challenges of marketing eco-sustainability

[Wendy Skinner]

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" <elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us>
To: <sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org>; 
<sustainability at lists.ithaca.edu>
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:
> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org
> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins
> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
>