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When did Going Green become a Political Issue?

Wanting to become aware of the carbon prints we leave behind comes with age. I couldn't have cared less 10 years ago. Actually, the people who were talking about green issues sounded a little nuts to begin with.

And now, at 41 years of age, I feel I am finally ready to take a good look at some of my actions. Am I a mindless consumer that buys and throws away without any regard for future consequences? I have been, I still am today, and hopefully soon I will be able to tell you a different story.

As with anything, there is a price to pay in the public arena. Nowadays, the green movement is not seen as a ragtag group of loons, but rather as a well organized left-inclined political movement with a definite agenda. The agenda can be anything you want it to be, it will fit with any conspiracy theory as well as with all saving-the-earth movements.

It seems to me that by choosing to care for the planet you have to make a political and ideological leap. By pointing out issues that should alarm all of us (excessive waste, pollution, global warming) I seem to have entered a debate that allows no gray area.

Granted, some of the loudest voices -on both sides of this debate - seem to indicate that this more than just being good to one another. Who cares? Really, this is a personal choice.

My choice.

As a Realtor I want to implement my passion and at the same time maybe help change the problematic Realtor image. Problematic in the sense that Realtors should be at the forefront of the movement, and yet they are not. We are selling people not just a house, but an environment. I think of every house as a farm, with water and electricity and land. I want to make sure the land, water and air quality (indoor and outdoors) is as healthy as possible.

It is the least I can do.

Too much work? Changing markets bring about a change in strategy. Why not let it be a change that makes everybody feel good. Not just a blatant money grabbing device.

You know, I don't think it is a crime not to know, but there is something wrong when you know and decide to ignore it. It is beyond denial.

Best of luck and go green.

Douglas

Posted by Douglas Garbe, Real Living Real Estate Solutions on 10/19/2007 11:28 PM

Comments (32)

going green, real estate, saving money

Post is included in group: Real Living

32 Comments on When did Going Green become a Political Issue?

OCT

2007

Each and everyone of us can make a difference at any age. every little bit adds up.

Hi Douglas -- you say... "It seems to me that by choosing to care for the planet you have to make a political and ideological leap. By pointing out issues that should alarm all of us (excessive waste, pollution, global warming) I seem to have entered a debate that allows no gray area."

I agree that it seems we have to make a political and/or ideological leap. Unfortunately, that is the way this change of lifestyle has been presented. What if we truly present what it stands for -- economics and independence. Two things are country was founded on...two things that still rank high in most citizens eyes. Just because the delivery of the message has been incorrect in the past...don't kill the message. By promoting and implementing these ideas success will come with great benies...like protecting the environment....

IMHO the wrong platform has been addressed for many years. Let's just teach each person to do something small...or something big...to help themselves. THAT M.O. will affect the masses and have a great effect on society as a whole.

Keep up the good work! Love your ideas!

OCT

2007

we ALL need to care about the Green issue and we all need to do our part!

OCT

2007

Barbara Jo & Bill - Thank you for your support. It amazes me how people believe this is a political issue and not a quality of life situation.

OCT

2007

Douglas, Fortunately, enough of us in the different professional arenas feel the same way you do. We know it's time to change, and we will. Unfortunately, there is plenty of opportunism whenever there is change, and the politicians are the first ones to exploit this. We do need politicians on our side, and it's time to hold their feet to the fire, with our vote. I'm not spending my life researching, sharing and doing green architecture, without making our representatives in government accountable.

Geraldina - thank you for a clear insight into a murky dilema. I am glad to read the words "green architecture", what a great way of combining ideas!

Douglas,

It's absurd that someone who supports the green agenda is right away labeled in certain political flavor. Hopefully everyone on this planet will slowly come to understand the challenges we face and then agree to do something about it.

Green has become a political issue. I wonder if the presidential candidates were in a room full of green bloggers what would they say? Could they defend their positions? I'd bet they would all have an advisor whispering in their ear or passing them notes.

Green shouldn't be political, but it's just one more thing for them to beat up on each other about.

OCT

2007

Esko - absolutely, I like those words, "political flavor." Not asking for much here, a step at a time.

Congratulations Douglas, its nice to have you here with us "greenies". I've actually practiced green living since the 70's when recycling came into being, along with water and gasoline conservation. It becomes a lifestyle after a while, one that is hard to change because we know deep down every little thing we do makes a difference. As for the green movement being politicised, well it stands to reason because most of the people trying to live green and make a difference are liberal democrats and independents. It becomes political when the opposing side discredits the movement, like they do the existence of global warming.

OCT

2007

Terry - Thank you for the support. However, I still want to believe that going green is not a political choice but a better living alternative. It has to be like waking up to realize the danger of smoking, left or right, democratic or republican, atheist or Fanatic.....smoking kills.

Douglas, would that it could be that simple. But if you took a poll you'd probably find few neo-cons amongst the greenies. Its not their agenda.

Terry - I have a lot to learn about this subject. And, obviously, it is here that the debate starts. The truth is that we all have an agenda. I want to attract home owners who are tired of the usual Realtor stuff. Yet my so called 'hook' is something that I really care about. The last thing I want to do is have a discussion about politics with potential customers, and yet, I will not shy away from the topic if confronted directly. I think going green is about getting more, saving money, getting a deeper appreciation for nature, ourselves, our world. Naive, probably. Interesting and timely, absolutely. Thank you again.

You've got it nailed Douglas. Now, project that on your clients and you have the makings of a successful "green" business ethic.

Terry - thank you. We've got to stop meeting like this. :)

However, I have to wonder why nobody, and I mean nobody, has claimed the $125K these fella's have on the table. It's there for the taking.

I'm not making a political statement here ... just an observation. Curious.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts

http://www.JunkScience.com

Jim

Jim - Huh?

NOV

2007

I am glad you are coming to a position that is helpful. In our American lifestye, I would put it to you that all decisions about going green are, by necessity, gray areas. Everything we do is a compromise. The independence that Mary touts is a myth. We are, and have always been interdependent. There is no such thing as the "self made" man/woman. We are all products of using the "commons", whether it be infrastructure like roads, or public schools, or the freedom to make decisions.

NOV

2007

David - Thank you for reminding all of us (even me) that this is not an easy topic to understand. Not only is everything we do a compromise, but there are so many choices involved in doing this. We are "free" not to get involved, but there will be a price to pay later that is beyond money. I like the way you finish, "freedom to make decisions." That will never change.

Douglas-- good article...interesting comments trend. Your writing led my thinking to this: Green is not in itself political. When we decide to "go green" or live by green choices, two things happen--

1- we make more responsible choices (taking into account our impact on others) and,

2- we pressure others to also be responsible in their choices. This occurs more as our group grows bigger..... thus those that don't want to be responsible start complaining...

People don't like to be responsible.....

those are my deep thoughts at 7:26 am....

Douglas - The title of your post caught my eye again today. Unfortunately part of the politics of going green is in important legislation that will give the American Public and Companies Tax Credits and Incentives to implement "going green," to expand technologies, research and development and produce new and better products.

The 2007 Congressional Energy Bill has been debated and talked about all year. In a last minute move by Speaker Pelosi and Majority Lead Reid support for Renewable Energy has been removed. It is important that public policy support the efforts for clean energy. This move goes against everything these democrats have said they support. They are talking out both sides of their mouths again. Please read my blog and contact your reps TODAY!!

Douglas,

Going green is a choice we make and it is a personal choice. I do it for selfish reasons as I do not care to breath bad air drink bad water and hike on littered trails no longer surrounded by wildlife. If others want to join me, more power to them, but I cannot force them. I can only share ideas that will help, but I do not expect everyone to follow me. However, I HOPE they will follow me because it won't work if a majority doesn't join us on this path.

Andrew -point well made (and taken). People will not follow you because your idea is good. I personally don't know why people do the things they do (or why they don't do the things they don't do). It would seem that making the planet safer for all of us would be the way to go. And yet, look at the choices people make: War, apathy and, most interesting of all, complaining.

NOV

2007

Some would say, if we all did it we would save the planet. But save it from what? Ourselves? Progress? Organized Religion/Madness?

DEC

2007

Maybe this topic was more controversial than I thought! But what an interesting twist it has.

Norman

JAN

2008

Why is this controversial? All the politicians use it as a second skin.

Sorry to hijack such a great post, but I must answer Jim's question about Junkscience.com's "Challenge"; the reason that no one has taken the money is simple. RULE # 2

"Entrants acknowledge that the concepts and terms mentioned and referred to in the UGWC hypotheses are inherently and necessarily vague, and involve subjective judgment. JunkScience.com reserves the exclusive right to determine the meaning and application of such concepts and terms in order to facilitate the purpose of the contest."

I will offer you $150k to prove anything, so long as I get to change all the definitions and rules, and decide if you win. Ask a dodo bird about his subjective judgment of the situation. Whats that, couldn't find a live one to ask? bummer...

Junk science is only debunked by accepted scientific approach, things like repeatable experiments and peer review. Even then it only becomes "accepted" not proven.

I think that the reason that "green" is used so much in politics is that so much wealth is tied up in not doing the things that are just common sense, if people would stop hiding from reality and look around.

I wish that I could come up with a good way to prove that our actions have repercussions, but some people must not feel as though they have any power to affect anything, or maybe they think that Newton's third law is also junk science.

I Don't know. But i think...

Wow, The view up on this soap-box is great!

JAN

2008

Michael -that's an eco-friendly soap-box.

MAR

2008

You sound like a crazy liberal pretending to be a moderate. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Knock knock. Who's there? The Green movement and we will make your life hell.