The Wealthy, The Economy, and The Green Revolution

I dedicate this to Earth Day.

If you haven’t heard of the impending doom of our entire civilization , then your missing something that many believe is the THE most important thing anybody should be talking about right now.  Everything else in the news seems to be petty.  We won’t even have news if we continue on our current path.  If Humanity doesn’t get its act together quickly, then we’re in big trouble.  I could go on and on about how humans are destroying their Earth at an accelerated pace, but that’s been done over and over again.  The problem is so defined right now that people, I feel, are getting tired of hearing about it.  The Green Revolution has focused its lens on the solution, and the solution is what I want to talk about.

I did not coin the phrase Green Revolution, nor do I know who did, but it is a phrase, and movement that I embrace.  It is a way of life.  It is a group of people that are committed to saving our Earth.  We recycle, we turn lights off if we’re not using them, we think about the products we buy.  We fix things instead of buying new things.  We want the world to function on sustainable energy, and do what we can to contribute to that ideal.  We see windmills as beautiful things, and when we drive our cars we feel guilty about the burning gasoline that is fueling global warming.  We have compost bins, and organic gardens.  We ride our bicycles to the market, and live in cities because we know its better for the Earth.  We see moms driving around in Hummers and cringe.  I could go on and on.  Another very important thing is that we desire to increase our knowledge so we can use that knowledge to contribute to the healing of our Earth.

To be a part of the Green Revolution is more difficult during a recessed economy, there is no doubt.  Money is an important thing, and focus is on our money and our jobs.  With a troubling economy, recycling can cost money.  Since we have less money, then recycling then may become an expense.  Recycling relies on somebody buying bulk material, such as discarded cardboard, plastic bottles, etc.  If nobody buys, then the money to continue operation must come from the recyclers wallet.  This is just one example, but things like this are happening throughout the green spectrum.  Another good example is the ability to get a loan.  If a home owner desires to put solar panels on his roof, but he doesn’t have enough capital, then a possible solution is to get a loan that he can pay off with his energy savings.  If its difficult to get a loan, it is difficult to buy his solar panels.   I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

The Wealthy have money.  If you have money, you have power.  The more money you have the more power you have.  People with power have responsibilities.  Since the Green Revolution is THE most important aspect of life for the good of all humanity, then the wealthy have a responsibility to use their power to advance the Green Revolution.  I don’t care how you got your wealth, you have it.  If your not using it to save Earth, then your doing something seriously wrong.  Oh, but your portfolio isn’t doing so well right now?  The value of your summer house has dropped?  Well, all I can say is for the sake of Earth, put it in perspective!  Maintaining social status as well as your comfort level needs to take a back seat to saving the Earth.  The wealthy have a unique opportunity, and responsibility,  to use their money to advance the Green Revolution.  If your rich and you don’t recycle, shame on you.  If you hold stock, and make money in the oil industry, shame on you.  There is still time to redirect your money towards sustainable sources such as wind power and solar power.  If you own a garage full of SUV’s and don’t care, shame on you.  If you bought pristine land in the suburbs and clear cut a couple acres so you could have a nice big backyard, shame on you.  Now is not the time to be selfish.  Now is the time to use your money to change the world.  Use your money to show you care.  Now, more than ever, your money is needed.  Set an example.  Show your peers in your social network that you care.  Show them how to follow suit.  You have the power to make the Green Revolution trendy among your social group.  The opportunities are endless, and you have the power to make an incredible contribution.

oh wait, but YOU don’t believe in Global Warming.  You believe it’s a bunch of liberal hype inorder for the Democrats to gain power.  Thats another battle to be waged another day.

If your wealthy and a part of the Green Revolution, I applaud you and support your efforts.  Earth needs more people like you.