HOMEFRONT: Though it’s much-used, green is the word
Concern for the future of our planet is far and away my No. 1 issue.
Ask anybody: I’m all about stewardship, conservation and, yes, worry. When I read reports of collapsing ice sheets and fish populations, I take them to heart.
But I have to admit I’m getting tired of the word “green.”
We used it in our headline today because it’s a good shortcut for what we were trying to convey: the growing concern about, and use of, cleaning products that are not as harsh to users and the environment as a whole.
But the word is used so much that it has become worn and, in some cases, meaningless or misleading. And that’s what hurts. I don’t want to see environmental issues trivialized, and I don’t want people to think that because they bought a few green products that the problems are solved.
A recent Deere & Co. advertisement gave me pause. It refers to the company’s strong ties to the land and says that “the livelihood of many of our customers depends on the land.”
In truth, dependence on the land goes beyond Deere customers, numerous though they may be. Everyone living on this planet depends on the land. Our food, clothing, homes, transportation, computers — everything we have — exists because we grew it or mined it.
Care for the planet is care for the future of our kind. We need green.
A recent edition of USA Today reported on a discouraging poll done by Standford University indicating that fewer than one-fifth of Americans are passionate about the environment.
Still, one-fifth is close to one-fourth. And if we can get a few more people onboard, we can work toward one-half, and then we’ll really have something.
The bulk of the article discussed how to get people to care, suggesting that they will change if:
n They think others similar to themselves are jumping on the green bandwagon.
n They get frequent, positive feedback for their effort.
n They feel able to make a difference by taking concrete steps.
n They think their children will be harmed by global warming or their children encourage the family to lead a greener life.
So here we sit on the bandwagon, inviting you to join, and eager to give positive feedback, suggestions and information.
My personal goals for this year are to get (and use) reusable shopping bags, put up a clothesline to reduce dryer use and investigate composting for kitchen scraps. Notice the wimpy word “investigate.” I’m just not sure I can do this.
As for spring cleaning, I’m going to say “no” to packaged dusting cloths. Yes, they are convenient, do a great job and smell nice. But their creation, packaging and transportation takes energy and resources. Better to use an old T-shirt. I may even have one in green.
Alma Gaul can be contacted at (563) 383-2324 or agaul@qctimes.com. Comment on this column at qctimes.com.