Comments on: Why Are We Here? and Where Are We Going?

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Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:20:10 +0000

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By: grechen

grechen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:32:35 +0000

great points you guys…i knew this would hit a nerve it definitely riled me up!!!

@Candice – i totally agree that it’s about making the RIGHT choices; i think that’s what all of us are about – helping our fellow consumers locate eco-friendly products and providing them other resources so they can make an INFORMED decision

@Jennae – you’re so right..being “green” is a lifestyle, and part of what got us into this predicament in the first place was over-consumption. i have to admit that i’ve been guilty of that in the past, but now, i am practicing conscious consumption: i have a 24-hr waiting period on “big” purchases and i buy only what i need

@kimmie – what a great point! i think we are all “preaching to the choir” to a certain extent, but we also reach out to newbies with tons of information to help them make educated choices and make them aware of alternatives that exist out there that they may have had no idea existed

@Gabreial – totally agree that most of the bigger sites push “big box” products, which also in my opinion, defeats the purpose of the green movement in the first place….you have to look at the whole company when considering a product to buy. clorox vs seventh generation?? no contest in my opinion.

By: Gabreial

Gabreial — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:12:26 +0000

Great post and I have to agree with Jennae above, very well said. My biggest problem with the larger sites is that they are only pushing “big box” green products. They are suggesting throwing out the perfectly good products to purchase “new green”. To me, this defeats the purpose of green. Green has been exhausted as a buzz word for marketing. Instead of purchasing entirely all new green products, lets consider “sustainable” for a bit. If your light bulb isn’t out, why not wait until it is before replacing it with a new one. Looking at it in a different light (no pun intended) is what the smaller blogs and sites tend to be doing.

“Huh. They’re still getting a TON of traffic (I wouldn’t be complaining), but I would like to take it a step further to posit that maybe consumers are also, or more, interested in smaller websites in this space – sites where you feel like you’re talking to (and listening to) a friend about issues that are important to you – not where you constantly feel like you are just there to be MARKETED to”

I couldn’t agree more with the statement above. Our approach is different and we connect on a level that they can’t. I support educating consumers on true eco-friendly products as well as organic and sustainable.

By: Kimmie

Kimmie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:53:54 +0000

I didn’t know what it meant to be green until I started to see the marketing push for it. Without it, it makes it difficult to educate possible consumers who would purchase items. I agree with Jennae that it is a lifestyle and as such, it is one that you have to learn and to see what you are interested in. For me my turn to eco came about when I was introduced to Carilyn Vaile as I love that it is made out of soy. Then I learned about brands that were sustainable. One day, Domino created an issue that was green focused and that’s when I saw that I could not only live that lifestyle but it wasn’t as pricey as I thought. Now I love learning about it and finding sites that present it simply. I love the article and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

By: Jennae @ Green Your Decor

Jennae @ Green Your Decor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:33:03 +0000

Very well said! I think that readers recognize when a site is simply a marketing ploy and not being authentic. Yes, we all aspire to make money from our blogs. But for me, the bigger picture is promoting the message that buying green isn’t a trend, but a lifestyle.

If people see my blog as nothing more than a shopping blog because I feature green products, then they obviously having been reading it. I tell my readers all the time that they shouldn’t buy just for the sake of buying, since overconsumerism is part of what created the need to “go green” in the first place. But you are absolutely right — I promote quality over quantity and encourage people to use their wallets wisely and buy products that are not only green, but that will last a lifetime — or several.

Thanks for saying what I have been thinking!

By: Candice Caldwell

Candice Caldwell — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:52:09 +0000

Fantastic post, Grechen! I totally agree with your assessment and have to say that “green fatigue,” and worse, green-backlash (!) have been on my radar since Fashion Ethic was but a spark of an idea.

I’m all about the Conscious Consumer, so I have to disagree with that last line from the MediaWeek article – “Once again, an important movement becomes all about marketing and consuming, and consumers recognize the inauthenticity in that.”

I think the eco movement is absolutely about marketing and consuming! Being more eco-aware is all about making the ‘right’ choices and being able to locate those choices when you’re ready to buy. I feel very optimistic about where our society of consumers is headed – becoming more educated and thoughtful in our purchase decisions.

I look forward to seeing some good discussion on this topic – and for future GreenGrechen posts that hit at the heart of the issue – well done, as always!