There was once a time not too long ago when many of us lived our lives with no real concern for what was going on outside our windows, not because we purposefully turned a blind eye, but simply because we were caught up in a whirlwind of unintentional ignorance. Despite possessing a general awareness about deforestation, global poverty, endangered species, environmental pollution and a handful of other global eco-issues -- and even making occasional holiday donations to quell our conscience -- we were, for the most part, just trying to embrace the fleeting pleasures that came our way. There's a reason why the phrase "life is short" was coined, but no one wants to run the risk of finding out just how short it really is without first squeezing every last drop out of their credit cards? Our mantra became something along the lines of "Live for today, worry about the consequences tomorrow." From electronic gadgets, fast food, and plastic doo-dads to cheap t-shirts and mesmerizing lead-based trinkets and ginormous gas-guzzling cars, in our spare time we mastered the art of full-blown consumerism but were somehow always left wanting more, which warranted perpetual return trips back to the store.
It should come as no surprise by now that engaging in carefree consumer lifestyles has taken its toll on the planet, not just via the carbon footprint generated from the incessant manufacturing and shipping of cheap, disposable junk. Synthetic materials and chemicals, excessive packaging, fleeting consumer interest and the constant need to upgrade to something perpetually better have virtually ensured that we are remain in a constant holding pattern of landfill disposal and environmental degradation. There's just one thing...we weren't exactly dialed into that reality until the media launched a widespread eco-awareness campaign just a few years back, informing us that our actions in conjunction with industry practices were wreacking havoc on our ozone layer and contributing not just to global warming but also endangering millions of species around the world. And yes, that's literally the tip of the iceberg. Suddenly, the obscure concept of environmentalism became an individualized issue that was plunked down on our doorsteps. We could no longer pass the buck and blame it on the big corporations dumping their manufacturing chemicals into our water supply while no one was looking. The media made it their business to remind us incessantly that toting reusable bags, recycling household materials, conserving water/energy, and eating less meat could make a real difference in reducing our personal carbon footprints.
We grimaced at first and rationalized that it was just another one of those trends, but in light of Mother Nature's continued ailments and the fact that we have precious little time to turn the tide back in our favor, more of us than ever before are recognizing that greening our lives is a long term reality. With the prospect of 2010 well within reach, here are the top eco-friendly predictions for the year ahead:
1) Organic Fruits & Vegetables Will Be Available At Increasingly More Budget Friendly Prices.
Despite our depressed economy, organic food sales -- which account for a seemingly paltry 3.5% of America's total edible grocery purchases -- grew by 17% in 2008 and are projected to continue growing steadily in the upcoming years. Why are organics better for you and the planet? Cultivated without the use of insecticides, herbicides, or fungicides (many of which the EPA considers to be cancer-causing), fruits and veggies that are certified organic are the way that Mother Nature intended -- not irradiated or genetically modified in a lab. Created with minimal impact to local ecosystems, crops are raised more holistically compared to conventional methods and do not rely on sewage sludge, agrochemical nitrates or pesticides which ultimately leach into our water table. While only 0.5% of U.S. pastureland and 0.5% of U.S. cropland is currently certified organic, that number has doubled in the past several years thanks to increased consumer demand. As more farmers switch over to keep up with the trend, the increased supply of organic produce will drive prices down, enabling a greater cross-section of the population to take advantage without torching through their 401(k).
2) Recession-Induced "Frugal-Greenity" Will Reign Supreme.
What might have been perceived as a cheapo, old-granny stigma in years past -- conserving resources, saving leftovers, turning the lights out when you leave a room -- is today's green lifestyle calling card. Our grandparents may have had a corner on the conservation market and reused everything conceivable in order to stretch their budgets, but a two-pronged torch is now being passed to today's consumer. With the economy still reeling and unemployment rates at an all-time high, the majority of us can recognize that making more practical financial choices is crucial so that our dollar can last a lot longer. At the same time, we can also take comfort in the fact that whether we're doing it for our wallets or the planet, both benefit equally.
3) Green Products Aren't Just On Our Radar -- They'll Continue To Be In Our Shopping Carts.
A recent EcoPulse survey of 1,006 American consumers found that 60% are intentionally seeking greener versions of food, beverages, personal care items, appliances, and household cleaning/home improvement products and 66% claim that even with compromised budgets, they haven't limited their spending in this category. Given the choice between purchasing convention chemical-laden options and alternative versions that are healthier for our families and the planet, it is in our best interests to channel our dollars into latter. In most cases, these greener products help us to save money (via fewer trips to the doctor, reduced energy bills, etc.) and now more than ever, that is a compelling motivational factor to help us take the plunge. Additionally, with a never ending supply of fresh new "green" products being launched into the marketplace, we can still indulge our fickle consumer ways...with slightly less of a negative impact.
4) Companies That Practice Greenwashing Will Get Royally Snubbed.
Nobody likes getting the wool pulled over their eyes, and that counts doubly when we're simply trying to do the right thing by the planet by making wiser consumer choices. Reading labels and paying a little extra for products that help us to reduce our carbon footprint make us feel like we're finally taking an active role in the health and well-being of the environment, but if we find out that a company misleads us -- whether through their eco-track record, marketing strategies or ingredients -- watch out. Whether you're a newly minted greenie or someone who has been there from the start, companies that claim that they're something that couldn't be further from the truth will be cruisin' for a stock market bruisin'.
5) Remembering To Bring Reusable Shopping Bags, Water Bottles, Portable Mugs and To-Go Containers With Us Every Time We Leave The House Will Become As Automatic To Us As Brushing Our Teeth.
We've had a year or two to get adjusted to the idea of reducing and ideally eliminating our disposable habits -- now it's time to get serious and practice what the media has been preaching. There are so many reasons why it makes perfect sense to decline one-time-use containers for our store, restaurant, and on-the-go liquid refreshment needs and instead rely on substantial, practical and far more durable alternatives. It may not seem as convenient to drag these supplies along with us while we're out and about, but women throughout time got accustomed to carrying pocketbooks, so how hard could it be to adapt the concept for a greater, greener future? Think of all the plastic and paper that will no longer be in circulation...imagine the sizable reduction in overall waste...this is no time to harrumph and complain about how many changes we are forced to make to help our planet. Change can often be a very good thing.
6) We'll Wean Ourselves Away From The Shopping Mall & Instead Make Our Hands Earn Their Keep.
In a way, the Recession has and will continue to nudge us along in this direction -- funny how having less green in our pockets contributes to a greener lifestyle overall. One sign of this can be seen with the wildly popular advent of DIY projects that have enabled us in many cases to create heirloom-quality versions of practical and frivolous items with supplies we scavenge from our recycling bins and thrift stores. Crafting in general has taken on a life of its own in recent years and affords all of us the opportunity to connect with like-minded people, socialize, unwind and channel the inner creativity that was long left dormant when we just bought whatever we needed at the mall. Making vs. buying? It's not only cheaper and greener but also far more fulfilling since it requires that we put a little of our spirit into each project we take on. Other pluses: we can whip up our own one-of-a-kind personalized items, we're keeping junk out of the waste stream by repurposing and up cycling, and our final creations will likely live a far more prosperous life than if they were manufactured in an Asian factory. DIY all the way, baby!
Surinder Saini
said on December 22, 2009