Monica Hesse of the Washington Post explores green greed and the way some eco activists have fallen by the wayside, seeking to push back the tide of global warming by buying more – more expensive imported organic cotton sheets, more hybrid luxury cars – and using fewer hand-me-downs or used goods.
It seems the three Rs of conservation – reduce/reuse/recycle – and especially the first two, are being dropped for a new, better-feeling form of conspicuous consumption.
Green is the new black, carbon is the new kryptonite, blah blah blah. The privileged eco-friendly American realized long ago that SUVs were Death Stars; now we see that our gas-only Lexus is one, too. Best replace it with a 2008 LS 600 hybrid for $104,000 (it actually gets fewer miles per gallon than some traditional makes, but, see, it is a hybrid). Accessorize the interior with an organic Sherpa car seat cover for only $119.99.
The basic message: You can’t be ‘green’ and not change your lifestyle.