According to a recent Gallup Poll, Americans by a large majority not only support the environmental movement in general, but actually take action in support of their beliefs.

Examples are:  80% recycle

                      83% have made steps to reduce energy use

                      75% are trying to use less water

As Gallup describes it, "Thirty years after its founding, most Americans view the environmental movement positively."

That's the good news.

The not so good news is that Americans with just 4.5% of the world's population consume 30% of its materials.

In REALTOR terms, that would mean that the land needed to provide materials supporting the lifestyle of the average American is roughly thirty acres, while the average European can get by on less than 10 acres.

Try putting THAT on the market!

How do we bring about a quicker change?  Well, Realtors will be on the forefront of this movement (whether we like it or not).  So here is my solution:

  *  Let's take the difficulty and guesswork out of green living

  *  Let us adjust expectations and provide realistic goals

  *  Let us stress learning as both a motivator and enabler

  *  Let us become experts on what we sell to the public

Why not become experts indeed?

We have the game covered financially.  We know how to help people buy or sell a house.  We know which banks and lenders to send them to.  We know about the prime rate and its ever changing consequences. 

Why not be able to answer people's questions and concerns about the environment we are selling them?

And do you know who would benefit the most here?

The REALTORS!  Talk about an image make-over at the right time.

The more I read and learn about the environment, the more I realize we are still in the opening act of this movement.  We, as Realtors, can sell a better product. We can help home owners make that better product into an even more cost effective one.

We, as Realtors, can turn the tide.  

Best of luck and Go Green.

Douglas B. Garbe, your Eco Friendly Green Realtor