What is Green?
So what is green?
In this time and age, just about everyone claims to be green.
I'd like to discuss the specific meaning of the concept of green products (which we widely review on this site), and share this understanding with my readers.
To me, green products are the ones which are, as a minimum, 1) good for health, and 2) good for the environment.
I believe this is how many individuals and companies understand it as well, or at least that's what they claim anyway.
But I also add my own third dimension to this concept – I take an active stand against consumerism, i.e. consuming much more than we really need and wasting valuable natural resources.
First, Green Means Good For Health
I consider products which quite obviously intend to improve people's health to be green.
They may range from air purifiers to juicers to vitamin supplements etc. There are really many great products out there which do a fantastic job for the human well-being.
Apart from their main function of improving human health, genuine green products will have the following qualities:
Electrical devices
-
will be energy efficient using as little energy as possible for their operation
-
will use as many recycled components as possible
-
will be produced using environmentally friendly practices and components
-
will have a long service life
-
will be readily recyclable at the end of their life
Consumable items
-
will only use organic components
-
will have a long service life
-
will be recyclable at the end of their life
In general, I would expect manufacturers of any green product to use as little of natural resources as only possible in their manufacturing processes.
Second, Green Means Good For The Environment
From the consumer products' point of view, being good for the environment mostly refers to renewable energy products.
The first products that jump to mind are solar panels and wind mills. These items use only renewable sources of energy, solar light and wind, to produce power.
The more people will start using solar panels and windmills for their electricity needs, the better for the environment.
This is one of the most obvious things many of us can do to help reduce petroleum consumption and improve the state of the global environment.
Third, Green Means Anti-Consumerism
I often look around and feel shocked by how much of natural resources are wasted to manufacture the stuff that is “redundant”, to put it mildly.
Indeed, in this consumerist age many products we really don't need are being forced upon us every day. This is not even to mention the fact that we borrow money to buy them!
Being an intelligent consumer means a lot more for the environment than, for example, buying the latest electronic fad promoted as green by some purely greed-driven corporation.
The choice is now all yours.
What Is Green? Share Your Opinion!
And what is *your* understanding of green?
Please share your opinion below. We are always interested to hear other people's ideas.
And I am sure our future visitors will appreciate your contribution as well :).
Thank you!
