If you are going to talk the talk…you need to do the walk....Thursday, May 1. 2008

It seems that every time you go into a restaurant, grocery store or retail store you hear the word "green" or "reduce, reuse and recycle". This is a great initiative by business and it makes customers aware of the simple things we can do to offset global warming and reduce CO2 and other emissions into the earth's atmosphere. But what is the real motive behind the "green" message that many businesses send to their customers? They can issue reusable shopping bags and advertise environmentally friendly products, which are a start, however what happens behind closed doors is a different story. Take the large fast food restaurant that throws out food at the end of every day instead of donating it. This is in the midst of food shortages in many parts of the world. Many large retail stores commonly throw merchandise in the garbage if it can't be put back on the shelf for resale. They tend not to donate used merchandise, as it is too much hassle for them. There is something wrong with this picture.

How about the individual that pretends to be environmentally conscious but does not really change the way they live? They may waste a large amount of water in their home, drive inefficient vehicles, and use an enormous amount of pesticides and chemicals in and outside their home. In a lot of cases these days, corporations as well as individuals, are more concerned about their image rather than protecting the environment. A business can have "green logos" everywhere to make them selves look good. A lot of people have a big home with garages and a few cars to give off an image and impress others. We are primarily judged by material things and what we own in North America. So a huge home with a 3-car garage and the greenest yard in the neighborhood (using dangerous pesticides most of the time) are more important to some of us than the environment. A lot of people in our society seem to think; "I myself will not make a difference so let's have someone else and our governments take care of the problem". We have seen what happens when the majority have that attitude.

I don't want to give anyone the impression that I am faultless. I am part of the North American society and have materialistic values to some degree. But I realize that I need to adhere to environmental friendly practices if I am going to write about them. All of us need to look at their own actions and ask, "Am I doing my part and practicing what I preach"?