I read an advertisement recently encouraging you to "GO GREEN" for Earth Day. The ironic thing was: they were selling paper plates. Paper napkins. Paper cups. and random other paraphernalia. (It was all made from recycled materials, though!)
Wouldn't a more "green" response be to use NON-disposable items and WASH them?
Green clothing has to be organic~but to me, a more profitable response to buying a new organic wardrobe would be to go thrifting and repurpose.
"Organic" foods prepackaged are selling themselves as best, but wouldn't it be best to grow your OWN?
"Green" Home makeovers spend tons of money, energy, and fuel to create brand new homes that are solar powered, using recycled materials but instead: couldn't we just live in a smaller house that already exists?
Does this all seem ironic to anyone but me?!?
Truth is, "Green" is a gimmick.
A "Green" crowd is the cool crowd, and because it is the new cool, it has become a buzzword to tout around. And sell.
Buying a bunch of stuff to throw away in order to "go green" is just plain hypocritical.
Now lest you think me an absolute pessimist, I know that there are true blue save-the-earthers out there who do their part (and mine, while they are at it) and do so because they feel it is vital. And I can only compliment them on their diligence and forthought. I wonder, though, if they are the minority of the "green-goers".
I am all for saving the earth-it is, after all, God's creation. It is also, a means by which he declares His glory and presence. But let's do it with a vengeance, and for the right reason, not to keep up with cool crowd!
To do it the right way, we don't need to buy into the hype. We don't even need the label.
All it takes, plain and simple, is for us to be good stewards of God's gifts. We as Christians are held even more to the task, because what we do is a reflection of God and our God is not a God of destruction, but of creation; a God of beauty, not ugliness.
May today (and EVERY DAY) you be given eyes to realize the gifts before you and hands to bring glory and honor to GOD through the care of those gifts.
5 comments:
Well-thougt and well-spoken, Rebecca.
Green is (for the most part) a gimmick to sell. As my dear Bill would say, "Follow the money trail if you REALLY want to find the reason someone is doing something these days".
I agree wholeheartedly. I've written a few articles myself on Christian Stewardship and the care of God's Creation. There were no greenies in the old days- people merely lived a more agrarian lifestyle which produced less waste.
We are not all called to the exact same lifestyle as someone else. For example our landlord won't allow us to have a goat or chickens, but we do have a herb and veggie garden, a compost, a clothesline, and use cloth nappies (diapers) during the day at home, when it's practical.
Great article Rebecca! My hubby said the other day- Oh no! Now Oprah's gone green!- So every man and his dog are going to jump on the commercial bandwagon now!
Claire
Amen! Being a good steward of what God has given us is so important and we should do that whether "Going Green" is in or out.
I do get your point, but I do view the Green movement a bit differently.
There is a vast population who does not have the resorces to grow their own food & buying a smaller house/moving is not an option. Yes, there is money being made on it, but the education to those who were never taught the value of respecting the earth and it's resources goes beyond the money being made. I would much rather pay more for something that I knew supported a concept that I agree with - organic veggies, milk & meat for example, because I want to support those who are dedicated to protecting ourselves from the harmful substances we ingest every day. I think it's great that those who would not otherwise be concerned are being confronted with it on a daily basis to make them think about the imprint they are leaving for the future generations.
Kristie
Rebecca,
I enjoy your blog very much.
Funny you mention this. I was struck by a website that sold various "green" home decor items. I kept thinking why not use what you have or can thrift.
I'd rather reuse a gatorade bottle for cold water drinks than have it recycled or buying bottled water.
What a waste of money and energy.
SAHM
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