Fri 09|03|10

Green has its limits

Submitted by The City Wire staff on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 1:18pm.

Less than half of Americans would give up their iPod if they thought it harmed the environment, according to a new survey by The Shelton Group.

The survey, which polled 1,006 consumers across the country, found 60% of Americans are looking for greener products. However, given a choice between their comfort, convenience or the environment, 38% of respondents said they'd choose their convenience, 36% said they'd choose comfort and 26% said they'd choose the environment, the survey found.

“Consumers don’t want to give up the modern conveniences of life,” Suzanne Shelton, company owner said in a statement. “We’re all basically saying, ‘I’ll be green as long it doesn’t make me uncomfortable or inconvenienced.’”

The survey asked, “If you thought these things were harming the environment, which of the following would you be willing to give up?” The responses were:
iPod – 38% would be willing to do without it
Dishwasher – 35%
Cellular phone – 21%
Air conditioning – 14%
TV – 13%
Computer – 7%
Car – 6%

“For most Americans, what once were considered conveniences have become necessities,” Shelton said. “That means the green movement has its work cut out for it: Convenience and comfort are big barriers for consumers going green.”

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GREEN

Submitted by Monte Smith on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:50am.

In my opinion, the process of "Going Green" or "becoming Green" does not necessarily have to be framed as being uncomfortable, inconvenient or tied into the idea of losing something.

"Going Green" is about making changes in how we perceive and manage our long-term cooperation with Mother Nature. Living Green is about adjusting our lifestyles in such a way so as to ensure that there IS a long-term life enhancing relationship between ourselves and the environment that sustains us.

Again, in my opinion, Green, in the long view, is not about loss it's about gain. Of course, the process of going green is a transformational process where old ways of doing things are replaced with new ways (more pro-survival ways) of doing things and such a process always creates a period of disorder. And yes, in that disorder there is some temporary inconvenience and discomfort.

I do agree, though, that the green movement has its work cut out for it. The educational process is immense in scope and there is substantial and agressive counter intention to the movement originating from the MEism or STS (service to self) sector of humanity that has become so prolific in today's world.

Certainly, the "Greening" of the US, not to mention the world, is going to be much harder hill to climb than switching our TV signals from analog to digital.

Wrong

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:33am.

If you have enough green there are no limits.