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ZapCarbon Blog

Sep 22

Written by: Dale Holroyd
22/09/2009 

I read a really interesting story over at the Guardian , which asks the question: "Is it cool to be Green?" Well the answer isn't what you might think.

 

The feature focuses on new research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) published in its Consumer Power report, which suggests that the recent 10:10 campaign may actually have passed a lot of mainstream consumers by.

 

The reason is that - among society trendsetters at least - it is no longer cool to be green. The report highlights that the young and cool know a lot about green issues but are simply bored with hearing about them. The Guardian reports that a person in one of the research workshops told them, "It's one of those things you think about for a few minutes, get depressed, and move on to the next thing."

 

The report also picked up on a trend among the young many of whom voiced the feeling 'if no one else is doing anything about climate change then why should I?'

 

Interestingly the report concludes that consumers are more likely to use less energy and make green decisions if it can be proved that the move will save them money.

 

Anyhow there is a lot more on the report here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/21/green-environment-consumers-ippr 

 

BUT more importantly....what do you think a about this issue?

 

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7 comment(s) so far...

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

I would turn the question around and ask it is it Green to be "Cool". I associate "Cool" with consumerism and keeping up with the latest fashion. To save the planet we are going to need a deeper and more fundamental culture change than being part of the latest fashion. And yes money is a big factor which will help that culture change. This is were politics and government action need to be stronger giving us the right price signals and incentives to "do the right thing".

By Gareth Ellis on   25/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

This article really does depress me!? It's going to take a massive shift in government policy to make things happen...

By John Connor on   27/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

It may be depressing, but we all need to get over it and do what we can in our communities. All big problems in the past have only been solved when the people moved into action, and that only happens one person at a time, until a tipping point is reached. I am postive and I am sure we'll solve this, before it's too late!

By Marcia Fletcher on   27/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

It's too late....give it up.

By Bob on   27/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

Interesting article...hey Marcia, it's never too late :-)

By Matt Johnson on   27/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

I think Gareth has a fair point....the goverment does need to create more incentive for the the so called "cool" people" out there. At the moment, about 60% of the population still does not believe that there is a problem, which is alarming, so drastic action is required.

By Janet Hall on   28/09/2009

Re: Is it Cool to be Green?

http://www.onepearls.com
www.onepearls.com/jewelry-sets/c11/index.html

By lewis on   10/10/2011

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