KRISTEN SMITH

LIFE EDITOR

Change in lifestyle needed for green revolution to have tangible impact on the environment

Last summer I fell in love.

I spent the summer volunteering on an organic farm in Flamborough, Ont. It was a decision based entirely on whim – I was presented with an interesting opportunity and in a moment of unrest I went with it. I only planned on being there a week or two, but ended up staying more than a month and returning throughout the summer break whenever I had spare time. A born and bred city girl and I couldn’t get enough.

I fell in love with life there. Most of all, I fell in love with the people I met.

Something – faith or inspiration maybe – was restored in me.

This is what I learned: live more naturally. Use only what you need.

Sixty-six per cent of Canadians said “environmental conservation is more important to them than it was a few years ago,” according to a 2009 Harris/Decima survey.

With consumers becoming more environmentally conscience, the green revolution has naturally has morphed into a marketing tool.

You can purchase green alternatives for everything: clothing, beauty products, light bulbs, cars, hotels and cleaning products, among other things.

There are countless eco-conscious instructional books. There is even one on how to put together a green wedding. Um, a thought: just get married and don’t be wasteful in the process.

Buying in to green consumerism isn’t completely bad. It has received the attention of those who can afford it. It is, I admit, better than nothing.

The problem is green consumption is inherently a type of consumerism. It feeds the mentality that got us here in the first place.

Buying green products is really just buying more things. What we need is social transformation. Society as a whole has to reduce its overall consumption for this green revolution to ever accomplish anything.

Individual green living choices are not good enough, but it’s a good start.

Don’t buy water bottles, the process of making one 500 ml plastic bottle pollutes almost 4L of water. Buying organic produce at the grocery store encourages the transportation of food. Go to farmer’s markets, get a food share or grow your own.

The three Rs are in a particular order for a reason. First reduce and reuse and then recycle. So instead of shelling out for eco-chic fashion reuse, dig through your own closet, go to a thrift store or look into companies that make very stylish refurbished clothing. Take the bus or ride a bike and leave the car at home – even if it is a hybrid.

“The perfect is the enemy of the good,” wrote Voltaire. So don’t overthink your green efforts, just do what you can.