16 June 2010

Can 'green' brands work together for one cause?


Why do we need more green stuff?
The last thing the world needs right now is another product, we don't need more stuff. We need less.

If you really care then don't buy needless new products, re-use what you have and give money direct to charities who can more efficiently make some real change. Don't feel the need to get a 'thing' in return for your charity, that's just a selfish way of giving.

It seems like there are so many 'green' products out there, but the problem is, they are still products which are made in factories and have a carbon footprint. They're not helping anything.

How many excess canvas bags are there now in the world, because some genius decided to produce tons of them, poorly produced, probably made in china somewhere. They only last a few months, but definitely not a lifetime. A decent quality rucksack would be a better choice and was already on sale.

Come on, all of these (a small sample from Google) can't be needed, they cancel eachother out. which is my problem with most 'green' products:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm169/ecogreenbags/recycle_leaves_reusable_peace_sign_.jpg

http://loveisdope.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/canvas-grocery-bag.jpg

http://bagschat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/juicy-couture-california-go-green-canvas-bag.jpg

http://talesofonecity.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/canvas-bag-2.jpg

http://www.promotional-products.org/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/00223754.jpg

http://nordingarcia.com/tammy/images/CanvasBagDesign.jpg

http://www.fasttrackfundraising.com/images/canvas-bag.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/3290680560_8d8509a6fa.jpg

In the UK there used to be lots of cancer charities that all competed for donations and did separate reseach, especially the two major ones. Then they decided that they had a common aim and should merge and share their research and work together, they formed Cancer Research UK funnelling more funding to one charity would help them all work to cure cancer. Now they are the world's leading cancer charity and do great work.

The same idea should happen with green products. One organisation curating green products, making sure they are truly green and produced in the best possible way. They should only sell the bare minimum number of products with the aim of reducing emissions with all money going to verified good causes.

A competitive capitalist market is really the enemy of the green ideal, we don't need lots of choice, just one good option. The 'green industry' is one market that would be improved by limited choices and less competition. A coalition with the same aims would be so much better.

So, nice bags, t-shirts, water bottles etc but I won't be buying, I have enough tshirts. I may donate to the gulf cleanup and other causes directly. Just remember that every product you buy announcing to the world that you are 'green' is still manufactured and will probably become tomorrow's rubbish.