tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192421352205271742011-11-27T16:58:51.514-08:00A webpage analyzing the underlying assumptions of what it means to be "Green and Sustainable," providing views on the consequences of specific actions and inactions, highlights of local tools and resources, giving thought behind the headlinesRichardnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19242135220527174.post-86800196822650037962009-06-20T10:05:00.000-07:002009-06-20T10:20:56.623-07:00I have decided to start a blog analyzing in a bit more depth some of the basic questions about what it means to be green. The goal is to provoke some thought into some of the core tenets of transforming our society into a more sustainable one. <br /><br />As a reporter for a local business publication in Vancouver, I see claims being made by businesses and organizations that they are doing this and that to be more "green" and "sustainable." But these words are touted with little substance at times, based on the view that anything that reduces one's environmental footprint is automatically green and sustainble--which is oftentimes far from the case.<br /><br />It is clear that businesses, community organizations, and society in the developed world is embracing sustainability. This is awesome. As a youth advocate having promoted sustainability in the community and in the classroom, to finally see traction on the issue is a very encouraging sign of progress.<br /><br />With governments in North America now embracing change as well, things are now progressing far quicker than they ever did five, ten, 20 years ago, when environmental issues were more fringe issues. <br /><br />We have come a long way, but as programs and opportunities become more specific: carbon trading, carbon offsets, "alternative energy," "renewable energy," "green energy," organic foods, "100-mile diets" and so on, greater thought needs to be taken to avoid falling into traps that can potentially do more harm to the environment, while at the same time, wasting people's energy, effort and money.<br /><br />The fact that the environmental movement in B.C. has become fractured over environmental policies illustrates how difficult and specific environmental issues have become. Blanket statements of claim don't cut it anymore. But this is a good thing, because it only shows that things are progressing and environmental issues are now mainstream, with a much wider audience becoming involved, broadening the opinion base and, hopefully, the positive impact such awareness can bring.<br /><br />I don't claim to have any answers. In fact, I don't really plan to provide any. It's all about the question and some views that illustrate the issues.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/19242135220527174-8680019682265003796?l=vancouvergreen.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Richardnoreply@blogger.com0