What does "green" mean?

Going green is very fashionable these days. Everyone and every company seems to be on board. Nearly every product comes in a version with a "green" or an "eco-friendly" label, although it probably costs twice as much. But what does the phrase "going green" really mean? For example, if someone were to ask me, "So you're going green, what are you changing about yourself?" I'm not sure that I would have a good concrete answer. I'd probably just mumble something under my breath and then try to change the subject and look like a fake. Well, if I'm going to do this, I need to know what I'm talking about. I found a good definition of the term on the website www.wecanlivegreen.com which defines going green as "The social phenomenon describing individuals who use their consumer voice to increase sustainability and decrease their impact on the environment." This means that in order to go green, not only do I have to choose sustainable over unsustainable, and leave as little an imprint on the environment as possible, but also to make an impact through my decision making towards a greener world. Actually, that's a nice way to remember what going green means-decisions that will lead towards a greener world.

I like to consider myself an environmentally friendly inhabitant of the earth, but the truth is, I know that I could do more. I use a travel mug for my morning coffee at work, instead of the styrofoam cups they provide. I carry a reusable bag with me at all times in my purse. I turn off lights, faucets, and heating and air conditioning as much as possible. I try to use reusable containers to reduce waste. I recycle. Even though these are big decisions that affect my daily life, this is a short list.

It has come to my attention recently that the way we eat has a big effect on the environment. Bad farming habits, the shipping of food, the raising of animals for slaughter all take their toll on the environment. We are slowly polluting our world simply by the decisions we make at the grocery store. I have never been an organic advocate because I honestly never saw the benefit of paying more for food that I could find at a much cheaper price point. While we're on the subject, what does it mean when something is organic? The USDA defines organic food as "produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation." To be honest, if I had my way I don't really want to eat food containing antibiotics, growth hormones, sewage, or radiation. I would also like to support individuals who are taking the time to do things the right way, by taking the environment into consideration in their business practices. So I will try, from now on, when economically possible to go organic.

Of course, all of this is easier said than done because truthfully, there are many things out there that I enjoy that are not green or organic. I love all foods (spicy, garlicky, meaty, packaged, sugary, fatty, fast, health conscious, vegan...) and giving some of these up will be no easy task. Making the choice not to support some of the things I love, that are committing harmful acts towards the environment, will be a major sacrifice of wants, desires, and my wallet. But I can try, and I hope that you will too. Maybe with all of us taking little steps, we can really help the world be a little greener.