Today is Blog Action Day, a day that all bloggers unite to write a post about “the environment”. For those of you who have been reading my blog since the first post on July 11th, 2007, you’ll know that “green” design is a topic that has been periodically intertwined with my every day posts. Now, I wouldn’t call myself a tree-hugger by any means, but I do have a love for the Earth and I’m committed to doing what I can to prolong and preserve it as much as possible.
So, back to Blog Action Day. This initiative was appropriately (and coincidentally) timed in and around Al Gore’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. In my opinion, the release of Mr. Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” was really the tipping point that created a nation-wide movement for environmental action. That’s not to say that conscientious individuals weren’t already eating organic produce, driving hybrid cars or demanding recycled products. But his movie opened the eyes of the masses and more importantly promoted opinion leaders to jump on the environmental band-wagon to keep the topic in the news.
With so many consumers beginning to think green, companies are recognizing the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the green rainbow. We’re going to see a HUGE influx of environmentally friendly-marketed products. Awareness and education is going to be increasingly important for consumers to tell the good from the bad products on the market.
Having spent far too long in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, I can be very cynical of corporation-driven messages. We’ve all witnessed the food industry’s response to the diet craze through the introduction of “lite” products (often times “lite” referred to the color as opposed to a reduction in calories) and “low fat” products (that were pumped full of sugars to compensate for the lack of flavor). Unfortunately, consumers lapped up these products which netted these corporations a handful of money and consumers a handful of love handles.
At the end of the day, information is King. Make sure when you buy a product that is deemed environmentally friendly that you do your research. Find out what makes it “green” – after all, your likely going to be paying more for this product. I’m going to be writing about one such resource for information: The Green Meeting Guide. It is a regulated planning tool and directory of “green” products and services within Canada for the meetings & events industry.
Also remember that being green isn’t only about buying products, it’s about action as well. Take a look at the amazing tips and ideas some fantastic bloggers shared in response to my Green Challenge. Implementing green thinking can be as simple as recycling, drinking filtered tap water, carpooling, using candles, buying locally grown/manufactured products, chaning your lightbulbs, using energy efficient appliances, shopping using reusable bags, viewing documents on your computer not on printouts…Every little bit helps.
So, in summary, get informed, buy intelligently, take action and ensure that your good intentions will really make an impact.
Photo source: Flickr