Tide of green
July 27th, 2007 by Katrine
The environment is all over us again. Global warming is so hot that Paris Hilton will probably become an environmentalist before long. The Man Who Would be President gets the star treatment all over the world. But this is the really interesting thing about this trend: Environmentalism is becoming a right wing value. Don’t change the earth, sort of thing. Even the church is into this. It’s obvious really, how ecology can be cast as a religious value.
Now, I’m all for it. Although I did nod and cringe when I heard an English science journalist explain that eco is the new religion and all non-believers are accused of heresy, which he of course found problematic, I remain genuinely afraid that there is something to it. Global warming is contested, and should be as should all apparent truths, but it seems to be for real.
But there is something unsettling about the way green has become fashionable. Of course you could say, who cares if advocates of ecology are conservative or leftist, trendy or totally uncool, when the cause is worth fighting for. Then why do I have this uncomfortable feeling that trendiness is overruling morality? That it is not about the right thing, but about the thing that makes you look good?
Or is it just me?
3 Responses to “Tide of green”
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Hm. I seem to be arguing that conservative ecologists are ecologists because they want to follow the trend. Clearly, that is a flawed argument.
So. Backtracking. I’ve made one point: Ecology and conservatism seems to be getting along better than ever before; and one argument entirely unrelated to this point: Ecology seems to a fashion trend.
Allowing me to correct myself in this way, what do you think? Have I got one right? Or both? Or none?
Hmmm – Actually I think it’s interesting that “ecology” seems to be an issue that is able to bridge right and left – leaving me to think that it’s not a matter of politics anymore. But simply means that we’re all – regardsless of politics, religion, facts etc – realizing that this is important. That it’s one of those universal thruths that everyone agress on – and that clearly needs to be fixed.
The real “fight” is not whether is true or important – but rather HOW to fix it – and that’s where political differencenses will show.
I do – however – share your concerns. “Playing the green card” might be the easy solution in many discussion with no follow up in reality. And it might also call on the “inner police-man” in the lot of us, constantly correcting eachother if we waste energy.
Overall, though, I think it’s a good thing with the massive attention. It really is a serious issue – and I’m willing to accept the risks of preaching if it means we’ll act just a little more consciously when using energy.
And by the way… thank you for so eloquently picking up the thread of “Waves of green” : (http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/08/waves-of-green-1/ , http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/09/waves-of-green-2/, http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/10/waves-of-green-3/, http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/11/waves-of-green-4/, http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/15/waves-of-green-4-ferns-and-fabonacci/, http://www.shareabrainwave.net/2007/05/18/waves-of-green-6-longing-for-a-breath-of-air/ )