It's Not Personal

Posted by Shirley Siluk Gregory Apr 6, 2007

Why does every discussion about living green, eating green and doing right by the environment have to, for some people, devolve into a political argument? It seems there are those who are just so bought into the way they live that any suggestion to live differently is viewed as a personal attack.

In fact, some of these argumentative types seem to take a large amount of glee at not only shooting down an eco-friendly suggestions, but launching into an over-the-top defense of the polar opposite. Think the guy who mocks the vegetarian then resolves to order a 96-ounce steak in the vegetarian's "honor." Or the gal who sneers at the "hippie chick" who eschews chemical-laden cosmetics, then goes on to tell the "hippie" that she'd change her mind in a second if only she would treat herself to a top-to-bottom makeover and a beauty-product shopping spree at the nearest day spa.

Foks, this isn't personal. Some lifestyle choices are simply more environmentally damaging than othres, and the results impact us all. So when one of us "greenies" suggests you consider a few changes in your habits, don't go all medieval on us: do a little homework, study the facts, ask yourself some hard questions and then decide if your actions are really as benign as you say they are. Eco-friendly living is all about thinking green, not red or blue.