Is Going Green a Pinko Act?

It started with Sean Donahue of Dell who video interviewed me on the environment. Sean is part of Dell's "Green Team" and he asked me what I personally do to help the environment. I think I gave an answer that sounded pretty good, but in retrospect, I wasn't sufficiently transparent.

I don't do enough, for the environment, not nearly enough.

From time to time I look at environmental issues: Zero carbon emissions, global warming, the atrophy of rain forests and so on. You all know them. Most of you believe there is a clear and present danger. Most of fear that danger is also imminent.

But the problems seem so big and complex. It is hard to believe that those recycle bins make a difference, or that a car that burns less fossil fuel at the sacrifice of style will save very much; or that downloading fewer PowerPoint stacks really matter and so on. But they do. A great many mountains have been leveled one shovelful at a time.

Since my conversation back at SXSW, I have not taken any shovelfuls out of the mountain, not even a teaspoon full. I've started reading about a dozen environmental blogs. I'm particularly fond of Chris Baskind's LighterFootstep because it is filled with so many useful tips on teaspoons we can all take out of the mountain.

The other thing is I've started tossing out little missives in Twitter, a tool I often use to work on and shape new thoughts. You get quick feedback and it let's me find out just how far omne can take a point, before other people will push back. I often use testier language there than I use here. One such recent example was in a discussion of the waste involved with phone books that seem to be endlessly dumped on my doorstep, I took some license by characterizing entire forests being taken down by buzzsaws.

Several people took issue with me,which was understandable. But it was the third time in as many days that I was called a policial name: "pinko," "left-winger," and "liberal liar, are the three. Now it happens that I am  a fairly moderate Democrat. Any leftism in my heart is offset by my absolute belief in free markets. While I advocate human rights, I believe there is no freedom without economic freedom.

Unless you think that the world can be saved through microinvesting by social entrepreneurs, I think that business interests--including profits--need to be part of the formula. I think, like Dell a company founded by a bedrock Republican, many companies are now coming to understand that what is good for the planet is good for business.

Or maybe I'm just a wide-eyed optimist.

But if companies save money by not wasting paper if they fly fewer employees who now meet and collaborate online; if they realize that if it turns out Global Warming, as the data strongly suggests, is a reality, then it will be bad for business to lose most of the world's coastal cities. If the companies that approach Green most aggressively will be perceived more favorably, I think that is good on a great many levels.

I think preserving emerging and the planet and the people and other living things who dwell there is a bi-partisan issue. Other than a few OPEC participants I can think of no country, or segment of society who should no share in concerns over the rapidly deteriorating situation.

But I find it most curious that my first verbal forays in the Green conversation has led so rapidly into political name calling.

Comments

[Miranda]

I've found that I get similar responses from some when I blog or mention efforts to be more green. Especially since I live in Utah where the line of thinking often goes thusly:

"You care about the environment. You must be liberal. That means you want gays to marry and want to kill babies through abortion."

Interesting how something that should concern everyone is so politicized.

[Tina]

I think going green is something that everyone can agree is a step in the right direction toward building a better community, and laying down the foundations for which future generations can successfully thrive in a healthier environment. Plus, I think many businesses will benefit from going green, not only building a more acceptable public persona, but in the long run it really helps companies save money and be a positive contributor to the world we live in.

Another thing I want to talk about is bioheat, it’s just one small measure that people can take in order to start living a greener lifestyle.

Has anyone ever heard of it, or has switched to it? I want to start taking initiative in turning my home into a greener household, one way I have started is by switching out all my lightbulbs in my home to energy efficient lightbulbs. And I am also seriously considering switching over to bioheat as an alternative to regular oilheat. The thing that I love the most about it is that it’s completely clean burning, and is comprised of a b5 blend of oils which are derived from natural plant and vegetable sustainable resources such as corn, hemp, and avocados just to name a few. If you all want more information on how bioheat works, just go on to http://oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=bioheat I work with NORA to bring this info to you all!

[Justin Thorp]

Just like dieting or starting to exercise, I don't think living green is just something that happens over night.

It's as you said "teaspoons we can all take out of the mountain."

I'm definitely looking for more blogs about ways that i can hack my life to be more eco-friendly. If you find any, do you mind posting them up?

[friarminor]

I'm outside looking at some grass and trees. After spending hours on end in front of the screen even with all the excellent posts and web goldmine, going outside is just so refreshing and gives a calming perspective on life.

Can't imagine how things will be without it. So I'm sticking out with going green as much as I can even how minute it may seem.

Best.
alain

[Alec Saunders]

Shel, you're very right that business has to be involved. You may want to consider interviewing Nokia at some point. They have a world leading green program:

http://saunderslog.com/2008/02/15/nokias-environmental-push/

[Deepa]

With companies, unless there is a fundamental change in the way they conduct business and pursue their green agenda proactively they will not sound or be perceived as credible.