When Lori Harfinest hit the streets quizzing passers-by about the meaning of global warming, she got a mixed bag of replies. Let's face it, the average Joe simply may not know.
For some, that might be a good thing. Studies have shown that consumers are being hit with a phenomenon known as green fatigue, the overwhelming feeling of too much eco-info combined with too many tactics and products battling for your attention and loyalty.
Here are some tips to retain your enthusiasm for doing right by Mama Earth:
- Stagger your information: Turn on to the Natural Resources Defense Council's Simple Steps program. It asks whether you've got a minute, a morning or a month, and then doles out eco-action accordingly. Very cool.
- [b]Buy less…but buy better: I heard this at an eco-conference from Bill Boland, Creative Director of [u]Patagonia[/u]. The thinking is to spend a little more on something that's going to last longer. Easy, right?
Vote with your dollars: Check out Co-Op America's National Green Pages for eco-friendly everything, all of which is pre-screened and pre-approved by the not-for-profit Co-Op America.
Be selfish: We all know green is good for the planet and for future generations. But buying organic foods, toxin-free personal care and cleaning products and biodynamic wine is better for your health then the‘conventional' alternatives. As the ad says, you're worth it!
Keep it Simple: Do what you can, knowing that little changes (turning off lights, not idling in your car, turning faucets off) add up. They really do.
