Ok. Let me start off by saying that what I'm about to say is going to really going to make some people angry. I suspect it will be those with a holier than thou sensibility. I also suspect that it will be those with really loud bullying voices. If not then...good...maybe I'm not battling windmills.
Even with my activist background as a young adult, several years ago I became more 'enlightened'. I read Cradle to Cradle, visited and wrote about my reaction to sustainable gardens in Southern California and of course I saw An Inconvenient Truth. I have always turned out lights when I leave the room, have recycled and reused (including a long history dumpster diving) and I plant trees and other oxygenating plants as part of how I make my living. So far so good, right?
The trouble, for me, became when I started to be involved with social media. All this talk and posturing about being green, being sustainable, helping the planet. Don't get me wrong, that's a good thing--at least the conversation is happening. What get's me though is that it often all seems so selfish. I'm green, hire me! I can help you save the planet, hire me! I'm an expert in sustainability, hire me! I write a blog about sustainability, hire me! What!!! You still buy XXX's product--shame on you, I don't, I'm green, hire me! ME, ME, ME.What about helping each other just because we all share the same planet? Does it always have to be about me and how I can profit by this or 'make good by doing good'...why not just because it's the right thing to do?
Posts
5 comments:
I agree whole heartedly.There is way too much of that self centered me, me, me, nonsense.
I also attempt to do my part in conservation, but I am not obsessive about it.
Right on, Susan! This needs to be said over and over.
I have been an "organic fanatic" for three decades, but must temper my marketing efforts responsibly.
Natural, sustainable, organic...it's how we as a species started out, but we went terribly awry in recent times. Now there's hope that we can right some of our wrongs.
Thanks for your insight and courage.
Oh my gosh, Susan. Don't get me started. The term, "Sustainable" is worth at least a three paragraph rant. Nothing in our culture is truely sustainable and although the word is like a squeeky chalk board, it is widely used and accepted. So I use it too.
In any movement the ones shouting and waving are more visable then the ones actually making changes take place. In that regard, I do think the discussions and the way many professionals have responded is wonderfully constructive.
Whew ~ I'm glad that I read this post and discovered that I'm not alone in this feeling. I read some twitter posts & feel downright curmudgeonly at times, but haven't been able to articulate quite what is bothering me. Thanks for putting it into words.
Susan: what is most annoying are folks who have larger operations that have never been thinking about this approach using the talking points of my introduction to "How to plan, transform and nurture landscapes for health and beauty."
They have the cash to market in a BIG display ad fashion how enlightened they are.
The other perspective is that we are more successful for this emulation. Today's "Living Green Expo" at our Mn State Fair grounds will attract ~ 30k visitors, most of whom are coming for the 1st time. This is the 7th or 8th year.
Landscapers were encouraged to move from main hall to a new tent for Outdoor Living, but some chose to stay inside. I am very happy where we ended up. Have space behind our booth for the trays of giveaway plants and "lawn" of no-mow trays arrayed in front. I will post some photos shortly.
The world is moving our direction and we can relax and enjoy the process.
Post a Comment