About Saving the Environment Vs. Going Green
Numerous ways exist to "go green" while still having a negative effect on the environment. Some of these may be personally beneficial but sustainably impractical. Where goods come from greatly affects sustainability, since the environmental impact of shipping must be factored in.
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Organic Foods
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Many out-of-season organic apples come from Chile. Organic foods may be better for you than those produced by conventional methods. However, the environmental impact of transporting organic produce from the far reaches of the world may still have a greater impact on the environment.
Local Foods
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Display at a farmer's market Local food producers and farmer's markets are a great compromise between the two. Local food markets often allow the producers to live within 100 miles of where they sell food. These producers may not yet be organic but often use more natural methods of growing produce.
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International Organic Goods
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Organic goods can come from all over the world. But in developing countries or young industrializing countries like China or India, these "organic goods" may be produced in environmentally damaging ways.
Organic Certification
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Organic tomatoes Organic certification takes time. A farmer or company that is pursuing organic certification may already be using organic methods, but may have to wait for up to 10 years before being certified as organic in the U.S.
Greenwashing
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Some companies have been accused of "greenwashing," making their products seem sustainable or green when they aren't, according to a Greenwash Fact Sheet published in 2001 by CorpWatch.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Recycle image by sarkee from Fotolia.com apples image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com farmers market image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com organic tomatoes with organic label in clear focus image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
