Elissa V.
It's been inspiring to see people around the world embracing the green movement for the good of the planet and their own health. But naturally, with good comes bad, and many are confronting troubling obstacles on the road to an eco-conscious lifestyle.
Growing your own food is easier said than done, and this is a realization many environmentalists have learned in their attempts to reduce their carbon footprints. The initial investment can be an expensive one, and the situation only worsens with unforeseen gardening problems like varying growing times and unpredictable weather. Crops spoil, time and money is wasted, and many give up out of frustration. And then winter arrives.
"I had to give up the idea that food stays in the kitchen," [Leda] Meredith said. "Every available surface became a pantry. Books came off the shelves. There were herbs hanging in the closet." - The New York Times
Another New Yorker and local business owner ran into his own issues during his attempts to go green:
Bart Potenza had a few unintended consequences as he tried various ways to make his vegan restaurant, Candle Cafe, on the Upper East Side, more environmentally friendly.
Several years ago, the restaurant introduced nonplastic corn-based cups for takeout. But the first cups were not quite up to the task. Customers called complaining that they had melted or had fallen apart in their bags. "We had to give some food away for that," recalled Mark Doskow, the restaurant's manager. - The New York Times
The German town of Marburg has been experiencing its own turmoil as well. The town's council made it a requirement that citizens install solar-heating panels on their homes and businesses - both new and old - and a debate has raged over whether the local government has violated the rights of property owners. To ensure locals abide by the new ordinance - the first of its kind in Germany - a fine of 1,000 euros (approximately $1,500) is doled out to whoever doesn't meet requirements.
"Marburg is already a leader when it comes to the use of solar energy, but up until now they've always tried to convince people rather than forcing them," said Hermann Uchtmann, the opposition politician behind the "green dictatorship" charge who leads a local citizens political group, the Marburger Burgerliste. - The International Herald Tribune
Back in the United States, building green has become a complicated endeavor - especially for homeowners who want to maintain as much of the original building structure as they can. Contractors often won't retrofit a home unless they can start from scratch, which results in the use of more unnecessary materials and resources.
Major corporations who have implemented green technology have been dealing with more unconventional problems - just ask The New York Times. The media powerhouse recently built a new headquarters with an exterior of ceramic rods to reduce energy consumption. The rods were designed to circulate natural light and keep the building cool, but several individuals with too much time on their hands have used them to scale the building. Because of safety and legal reasons, most of the rods have been taken down.
Eco-awareness is a young movement, so it's natural for there to be issues along the way. As research expands and technology improves, the process will run smoother. The real question is - will the less dedicated green consumers run out of patience before that happens?
It is good to see so many people trying to embrace green initiatives. Very heartening.
A while ago I read of a problem with 'eco-friendly' food containers for fast food. If memory serves, they were only eco-friendly if returned for a special form of recycling otherwise they were just ordinary garbage. Of course, customers didn't appreciate that, so most were just thrown out to end up in landfill.
As for fines for refusing to install solar panels? Well, I'm not surprised there isn't a human rights argument there. Okay, in the long run the panels will reduce people's bills, but in reality, I can see how people might think it's like an extra tax being forced upon them.
Yes, going green is so easy a concept. A pity it can be so difficult in practice.
Good post.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'
Written in August 2008