Friday 22 April 2011

greenwashing

The first Earth Day (EN/DE) was held in 1970 in response to significant relaxing and deregulation of environmental safe-guards on the part of the US government and a series of resultant oil spills, when one Senator called for an ecological “teach-in” to educate people on the consequences of consumerism and poor custody of the land and water. The annual observance does seem to rather nowadays compete with rather than compliment other green movements and summits, like Earth Hour and apolitical and pleasant Arbour Day (Tag des Baumes).
Good ideas and motivation is put out but more with the cachet of a televangelist telethon. Soliciting for a billion green ideas and pledges is certainly a positive thing that could make some real impact, but it is sadly a little gimmicky and there ought not to be credit given for what one should be doing away. According to the original vision of Earth Day, simply learning about eco-systems, where trash goes when its spirited away and the logistics of where products come from, is an important focus. Being mindful of the results of one’s actions, not discouraging creative acts to undo those effects, is a necessary first step.