Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob
Written by Helga
Monday, 10 January 2011 06:00
Let’s kick off the week with a guest post by Alisa Gilbert on being eco-friendly, not an eco-snob. You know who you are. We know who you are.
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It seems that we have a lot to learn when it comes to convincing the masses that going green is a worthy lifestyle change. After all, despite being barraged by numerous irrefutable facts on the benefits of switching to man-powered or public transportation, buying organic produce, using reusable shopping bags, and reducing waste in general, a great deal of the public still will not integrate green practices into their own lives. The blame here may not actually lie with materialism and laziness, but rather with the green movement itself or in particular, with the eco-snobbery associated with the green movement’s most outspoken advocates.
No one likes to feel belittled or judged. In fact, those who do feel that they are being attacked for doing something may very well retaliate by defiantly continuing to do that very thing. This is an undoubtedly immature response and “revenge” tactic, but it is one that many people employ when they feel as if they are being unjustly scolded or lectured. Unfortunately, eco-snobbery may be causing many non-green individuals to act out in this way. Eco-snobs are loyal green movement advocates, but unlike those who are simply eco-friendly, eco-snobs look down on those who do not follow a green lifestyle. They preach to those who do not recycle, or give sideways glances of thinly veiled disgust to those who buy commercial produce as opposed to the organic variety. This type of superior, “Holier Than Thou” attitude could very well be turning many people off from the green movement.
Also unfortunate is the fact that numerous eco-snobs employ an “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to preaching a green lifestyle. They give the impression that one can only truly save the environment with a dramatic lifestyle overhaul, including changes such as giving up driving and only buying certain types of foods and goods. While it is true that a sizeable reduction of an individual’s carbon footprint can only be achieved with a dramatic lifestyle shift, it is also true that something as little as recycling regularly can be a good step towards becoming more eco-friendly.
Not everyone can make complete changes to their lives in order to help the environment. For example, while using public transportation is better for the environment than driving yourself to work, some people may live in areas where no good public transit systems are in place, so commuters have no alternative other than to use a car to get to work. Some may also not be able to afford the higher prices of organic or farmer’s market produce, forcing them to buy commercially-farmed produce instead to feed their families. For these types of individuals, a complete lifestyle overhaul is impossible. Rather than alienating this entire population by preaching for an “all or nothing” green change, eco-snobs should take a step back and realize that the green movement does not have to be totalitarian it can be flexible as well to adapt to an individual’s circumstances. To encourage others to do their part in protecting the environment, green movement advocates should suggest little and easy things that each individual could do, such as recycling paper at their local school or using a reusable bag for groceries. Smaller lifestyle changes are less daunting to those new to the green movement, and therefore people will be more willing to commit to those actions. In time, they may even take on more and more eco-friendly changes as well.
While it can be tempting to look down on those who seem to blatantly ignore the benefits of not using plastic bags or eating wild-caught fish over farmed fish, remember that eco-snobbery can be highly detrimental to the green movement. After all, being eco-friendly is all about encouraging others to make an eco-friendly change to their own lives, whether it is a small or large one, and doing so without becoming a bully in the process.
By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Alisa Gilbert, who writes on the topics of bachelors degree. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alisagilbert599@gmail.com.
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Amen! RT @LiveGreenMom Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think?
RT @LiveGreenMom: Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob – http://bit.ly/hEl6tH
Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob – http://bit.ly/hEl6tH
Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob – http://bit.ly/hEl6tH it's more encouraging!
Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob – http://bit.ly/hEl6tH it's far more encouraging to others on the fence…
RT @LiveGreenMom: Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think??
RT @LiveGreenMom: Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think??
@LiveGreenMom RT Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think?? *totally agree*
Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think??
Be Eco-Friendly, Not an Eco-Snob http://bit.ly/haQdrV Which would encourage people more, you think??
I think this is a great approach. It is important not to be overbearing with your ideas and methods. I have watched idiots preach to people who really have no problem with trying to live a little greener, and turn them off very much the way Alisa says. Lead by example and leave other to make their own choices, with some helpful suggestions.
Great post! So true – it is upsetting when some seem to get caught up in their own beliefs and lifestyle that they lose sight of the bigger issues and the empathy towards others. We can all only do our personal best and I hope I always make sure to be the encourager and to inspire change – not push it.