World Changing Post #3

Bright Green Consumerism pg 81

Rebecca Tulis

The article about Bright Green Consumerism talks about the importance of using green products and getting the word about these products out in the world for other people to take part in. They use the example of a golf ball-cleaning machine that uses less energy and how while it is a risk to try and sell it, it could actually become a hit if one person were to use it and find it to be both sustainable and have good quality. The fact of the matter is, we, as consumers are constantly looking for the best object and pay whatever is needed to be more sustainable.

The article basically says that it is the consumers who have the most power and who can or cannot help our environment. We can buy the higher priced material that serves our environment or we can spread the word about these certain products so others will use it and therefore be more environmentally conscious.

Bright Green Consumerism reminds me of the hybrid industry. One of the main reasons people buy a hybrid is to feel better about themselves and so they can know that they are making a difference. One person may buy a hybrid SUV thinking that they are serving the environment when they could have easily just bought a small car. In a way, we are persuaded into buying these “sustainable” products because others are buying it and if others like it then so will we. We also want to feel better about ourselves and a way to do this is to drive a hybrid, no matter if it can make a real difference or not.

Even if a product proves to be green or not, it is all about how we, as consumers, bring it out into the world. The way to get the greener products out into the world is to buy it and express the importance of using it over something else. As it is said in the article, “We have the power to use our money and influence on others to support companies that are making better stuff.”

Steffen, Alex. World Changing: A User's Guider for the 21st Century. New York: Abrams, 2008