It's Not Easy Being Green...

And that will be the closest reference to TV and film I get in today's post. A tongue and cheek nod to The Muppet Movie and Kermit the Frog.

I have been wondering lately about the modern day adult peer pressure. It may be me, but it feels as though every time I turn on the television or read a newspaper there is another reminder that I am not doing enough for the planet. Gas prices are the latest pressure point. Every other day there is an article/news segment discussing hybrids and energy efficiency cars. When you look at some of the insane weather patterns and natural disasters of the last six months you can't help but think - Al Gore was onto something. Look I don't want to be a kill joy, nor do I believe that being more efficient with our planet and energy isn't a worthwhile endeavor. The increasing noise on the topic just likens back to the vegetarians of the 80's who wore leather shoes. There are many today who are putting the energy efficient light bulbs in their homes while never shutting down their multiple computers or unplugging chargers when not charging. I say this to express it is a delicate balance.

If I am being honest I have to say I resent the 'push' to green my life. As if I have all the power in the world to do so. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to reverse the trajectory our planet is on, however I don't like the heavy-handed media and marketing push around my 'greening' my world. The trifecta of energy efficiency, organic and all natural products to me is a pressure filled world that is unattainable to so many people.

I mean seriously, perhaps it is because I have been recently unemployed, but in my mind if the above categories are so beneficial to us as individuals and society as a whole, why is it inaccessible to such a large portion of that society? The fact is, hybrid cars are 20% more expensive than regular cars. Seventh Generation products and their competitors retail at nearly 40% more than supermarket brands (yes I did an actual cost comparison of household staples - all purpose cleaner, eggs, milk and toilet paper)and that doesn't even get into fruits, veggies and organic "grass fed" animals. Then there are the natural soaps, lotions, shampoos and miscellaneous beauty products. Switching to 'natural' product lines requires a good deal of research and in some cases hunting - stores with authentic product lines are far and few between. Many are not around the corner like your local CVS/Rite Aid and have mark ups of 50% or more at times.

The fact is, if you are on a budget, and these days who isn't, there are tough decisions to be made regarding how your money is spent. The cost prohibitiveness(is that a word?) of the above products is maddening to me. Take cars, it's a false premise to promote that people should just go energy efficient for cars - as though it was an affordable choice, supply is limited and demand up. Economics 101 teaches us what that means, higher prices. I did an experiment last week on public transportation. I live in the DC metro area and have a young child in daycare. Public transportation adds 45 minutes each way to our commute and averages $14 a day, $308 a month. By car, parking and gas gets me to $256. More important than the $50 a month I would save nearly a day and a half of commute time (33 hours). In a a day and age where it seems we never have time to get anything done, 16.5 days saved a year is of greater value to me. Selfish? Yes! At the end of the day, I think as in all things there is a balance to be struck. After decades of imperialistic growth without thought to the environment the shift back isn't going to happen overnight. So while I am happy to separate my garbage and willing to spend a little more where I can to do my part I think it is unrealistic to downshift completely and still afford to live. OK, I will descend now from my non-recyclable soapbox now.

p.s. - I read my newspapers online - does that count in doing my part for the environment?