Can we shop our way to sustainability? Josh Dorfman (aka The Lazy Environmentalist) says yes.
In this snippet from his radio show, Dorfman explains how he thinks consumerism will save the environment.
The title of the podcast grabbed us right off. Obviously, green consumerism is a hot topic right now. And we've blogged about it before.
This topic is particularly interesting to us, because (as you know) we often blog about products here -- things you can buy, that will hopefully make your home a healthier, more environmentally-responsible place to live. And we know (via comments) that more than a few readers sometimes consider green consumerism a frustrating contradiction in terms.
But Dorfman makes some really interesting points, most convincingly when he talks about green innovation as it relates to energy conservation.
There are things that we can buy, he argues, that will seriously reduce our energy consumption, which will in turn reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. (Think solar panels and LG's new steam-cleaning washer and dryer.)
The bit is only 9 minutes long. Take a moment to listen and tell us what you think.
Is what we do with our dollars more powerful than government regulations? Are our purchases more critical to the environment than who we vote for? It's interesting, important stuff.
We're not sure we've completely cemented our opinion on this one. What's yours?
Image via sxc.hu
I think it depends how it's used. Sure, it's always good to think sustainable when it's time to replace something, or you genuinely need a new item. And green versions of consumables are a great thing (can I get a refill on this fair trade coffee?).
But it bothers me the degree to which I see "buy this new gadget!" as the solution to our environmental problems. The main reason for that is that it often seems to encourage waste -- throw away what you have now and replace it with this! Additionally, when evaluating this sort of thing you have to take into account not only the environmental impact on your life once you've purchased the item, but also the impact of its manufacture, transport, etc. on the larger world.
When need something, I look into greener alternatives. But all this "buy me! buy me! buy me!" business is part of what's gotten us into this mess in the first place. We need to buy what we need, as we need it, and eradicate the idea that The Gadgets Will Save Us.
view the opoponax's profile
well said, opoponax
green as a marketing tool is vile
green as in green choices for what you already need is fab -- more responsible consumption (and a cold hard look at what we really need) as opposed to Next Big Thing bandwagon
view guido's profile
I should also had that writing the sentence "When need something, I look into greener alternatives," inspired me to add MooShoes (www.mooshoes.com), a vegan/green shoe shop, to my list of places to look for a new pair of winter boots this fall.
view the opoponax's profile
add, I should also add!
view the opoponax's profile
Nothing wrong with green as a marketing tool. What's vile is that people continue to get their value from purchasing/accumulating...
view SeanG's profile
okay, I was imprecise
green as an empty marketing tool is vile
I refer to "greenwashing", and sellers who gut the concept of its meaningful content, lobbying for the lowering of standards on what can be labeled "organic" (read this week's news stories on the large faux-organic dairies that supply the big box stores with not-so-organic Organic milk, ferinstance)
view guido's profile
I just needed to replace a dishwasher. The original had a cabinet panel covering which I really liked but alas 10 yr. old cabinets will make replacement challenging. 2nd choice was stainless door as black and white appliances do not float my boat. To make this relevant I choose a TOL Bosch because of its rating for quiet operation and the energy saving features.
I am adjusting the look of the stainless panel where once was a clean run of cabinetry.
I struggle with the concept of acquiring goods in the name of green when in my opinion green is acquiring less, using fewer resources.
view Alice's profile
How much energy and polution do you think goes into making all these new "green" products? Sure the product itself (example, steam washer and dryer) may reduce its consumption of energy, however where do you think all the possibly fine old appliances have gone? In the garbage, they may work, but someone threw them out because it's good and trendy to be green.
Everyone's old appliances they're replacing and whatnot don't just dissapear, they end up in landfills.
view cassandra158's profile