The Unbearable Lightness of “Green”

Stainless steel water bottle, solar recharging path light, hand and solar powered radio, bookcase from sustainably harvested trees, non-toxic paint and stain, biodegradable laundry detergent, compost bin, florescent light, recycled paper, shopping bag made from recycled fabric -

- all of these things are manufactured. And all production, green or otherwise, must utilize energy and new resources – be made, transported, and eventually be discarded. Each of these has negative impact on our environment. And, taking into consideration of the large (and growing) population of Earth, there is only one endgame that is sustainable: decreased production; making less stuff.

The problem with a ”green” economy is the illusion it creates, that we can all continue having all the stuff we always have had, with fewer of the problems associated with manufacture, distribution, maintenance, and disposal – the problem is thinking that “green” is sustainable, when it is not.

The problem is the cure, if the cure results in the same outcome as the disease.

Is there any good news in any of this? Depends. Depends on your outlook, and your definition of quality of life. If your quality of life is dependent on your standard of living – sorry, not much good news here. If your quality of life is measured by your satisfaction with “being light” (pun intended), you have more options.

Here’s not one option, but a notion within which one might find several options: If the problem is the way we make and use things, change that. No matter what options we entertain, we still have to “make a living,” and provide for ourselves.

The notion of self sufficiency contains within it many functions, many of which can be sustainable – make you own food, clothing, housing, transportation, etc. Obviously, this notion represents a whole range of functions, some to be taken up later.