Thoughts on how we can have a greater positive impact on the environment by not just living green, but by buying green whenever possible.
Living green means trying to reduce consumption, but we can't eliminate our consumer ways completely. Most of us are unlikely to grow all our own wheat, milk our own cows, weave our own wool cloth, and sew our own designer jeans.
So part of the challenge of green living is making green consumer choices. That is, buying what we need from producers and retailers who also believe it's important to operate in an environmentally responsible way. Think of it as the eco-friendly way of paying it forward.
There may be times when trying to become an informed green consumer can feel exhausting, and there are also times when buying green just isn't possible. But every time you choose a green purchase over a less eco-friendly one, think of it as voting for a better world with your dollars.
Ultimately, we all do vote with our dollars, by signalling to one company or another that we support its products and its way of doing business. If its way of doing business isn't green and sustainable, our purchases imply that's OK with us. That's why becoming a green consumer can have an impact far beyond the walls of our own homes.
