Amber Kirtley is a graduate of Furman University. She is serving as Communications Intern at Population Action International for the Spring 2009 semester.
Somewhere along the way "go green" stopped just being a phrase I would snap at my mother when she took too long to enter an intersection after a light or the adamant suggestion my sorority would chant to rush hopefuls during Greek recruitment. Now, "go green", to me, refers to the persistent voice chirping in all of our ears, encouraging us to alter our lifestyles and do our part to save the world.
This tree hugging, vegetarian, hybrid driving voice makes me feel guilty every time I leave my canvas bag at home when I go to the grocery store. Instead of tossing my Diet Coke into the trash can, that voice urges me to walk it to the blue recycling bin. I blame the voice for the sense of unease I feel when I leave the house thinking I left a light on, a feeling that is only calmed when I walk a block back to check. To avoid his pestering I now scoff at the idea of driving to anywhere that is within three miles of my house, because as I am reminded by every bus ad that goes by: that's what walking is for.
Where did this green little monster come from? I wish I could say I can trace his origins back to some environmental epiphany I had at one of the many earth day celebrations I have been exposed to over the years, or that he sprang from my natural tendency to be a good person and sacrifice for the greater good, but I can't. No, this little guy came from a much darker place, which consequently makes me question if he isn't somehow related to that jealous tramp, the green eyed monster. Rather than being the voice of my conscience, it is the voice of peer pressure.
I now do my part to reduce my carbon footprint, conserve energy, and know enough about global warming to realize it doesn't mean that in 2030 I will be able to wear shorts all year 'round because... going green is cool.
Everywhere I look celebrities are giving money or becoming a spokesperson for a new environmental cause. Organic cotton outfits are now all the rage and I covet all the stylish totes made from recycled materials I see on the streets of DC and in People magazine. It's a social faux pas to not recycle and if you walk to Eastern Market and ask for a plastic bag with your purchases you can feel the disapproving stare of other patrons and vendors burning holes in your back.
So, that is my confession. I do my part to save the world because it's cool. I let that annoying green guy in my head dictate my actions because I want to be part of the newest trend that seems to be here to stay. But, as I dedicate myself more and more to "going green," I realize how much of an impact our collective dedication to the planet (whether altruistic or based on peer pressure) actually has. Like so many others out there celebrating Earth Day in 2009, it's important to me to be a part of something bigger than myself, to feel as if little things I do make a difference.
Having lived through the 90s and new millennium and thus being a participant in the various trends of pogs, milky pen eyeliner, and obsession with reality television I can confidently say that joining the "go green" trend is one of my better life choices to make myself cool. And you know when it is all said and done, I have another confession to make. I kind of like my new green friend. I like making the world a better place.
Happy Earth Day.
I agree that going 'green' is more of a way of living your life than a conscious effort. My reason for caring about this planet is my two young children.