After having quite a debate in a recent post (see comments) about the importance of third-party testing of products, we can all conclude that companies must be accountable for their products and actions. 

Green Daily (a while back) shared The Six Sins of Greenwashing… and in my opinion, it works two ways.  The comments section is pretty alive with one poster on a more than self-righteous ground, feeling that if you don’t move into use only a bus, stop buying anything at all and make your own food, cleaner and clothing, then you can’t make a difference.  She says some relevant stuff but then follows it by saying that only a select few actually care about the environment. 

That, to me, is greenwashing ~ the type that SCARES off people from making any difference in altering things along the way in their everyday lives; the type that teaches people that no matter what they do, they are irrelevant in the big picture ~ unless they foresake everything they know, as they have known it. 

I, inspired by those that lead in this movement of social and environmental responsibility, believe that positive encouragement leads to great change.  On the flip, gloom and doom motivates very few.

Mark Twain said (and I’m not the only one who LOVES this quote): 

Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.

The sin she (the aforementioned commenter) commits is as bad as driving a 1985 Suburban and throwing your cigarette butts and Mickey D wrappers out of your window ~ she implies ‘You are not good enough and your difference means nothing’.  Wow.  I’m just glad that another poster was more than able to calmly point out her short-sightedness.  Many of us (myself included) would be apt to get REALLY defensive or angry at such narrow thinking on such a complex issue.

Listen… if you can take on change and be the Rockstar (and *humble* Rockstar he is) that No Impact Man is (you MUST check out his blog), kick butt for you!  Really though… if your life is hectic and you’re just eager to make some small changes that can add up, get a razor and toothbrush with disposable heads instead of completely disposable razors and toothbrushes, switch to CFLs, try out some ecodriving tips, turn out the lights when you leave a room, and know that doing what you can and trying new things when the opportunity arises ADDS UP when everyone takes those little steps.  That is Rockstar too.

My experience is that more and more people are looking to make a difference.  They want to know that despite having to drive the SUV to haul the peewee bobbleheads to football practice ~ and buying cheap detergent to save a few much-needed dollars ~ that by reaching for organic apples and bananas over conventional they are *adding* to the betterment of their lives as well as the farmers who grew those fruits.  Shouldn’t you be able to smile when you buy food for your family?

Feel good about what you DO and forgive yourself for what you do not ~ particularly if you continually are trying to make some changes and make a difference.  Time will open you to new ways of difference.  And applaud those differences you see people making.  My buddy Teran is forever commenting on the things she’s doing “ungreen” and while it makes me glad that she’s thinking out her actions, I want her to focus on what she’s doing right and what she’s starting to do to reduce waste, reuse, etc. 

Maybe I’m too gloom and doom about it and need to practice some *yay, we got this down, now what can we do “green”?!* and that rubs off on Teran.  She’s Rockstar, anyhow, and always proactively recycled and such.  I just wish we all could judge less (including self-deprecation) and get in on the GOOD of green (remember, this is “the gravy on the good and the garbage”!).

A simple guiding force for you, in case “green” feels overwhelming:

CONSUMERISM BAD.  CONSUMPTION GOOD.

Living a “greener” lifestyle is about making a difference, making less impact… but it’s about continuously learning and having fun along the way.

… and that’s evolution at it’s finest.