The Green Zone
KFMG 99.1 FM
Des Moines, IA
May 20-23, 2008

TUESDAY, May 20:
Today's Small Step: Buy less
Americans are the most wasteful people on the planet. We comprise 5% of the world’s population and consume 30% of its resources. No wonder other nations hate us. Global warming threatens the planet’s very survival, and we’re to blame. How did we get to this tragic, pivotal place in history?

It all began in the early 1950s, the Eisenhower administration. World War II pulled the U.S.A. out of the biggest depression in history. With the end of World War II we needed a new economic paradigm, and Victor LaBeau provided it. A retail analyst and president of Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisors, LaBeau suggested that America’s ultimate purpose should be making consumer goods. This is what he said:

“Our enormously productive economy…demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption…We need things consumed, burned up, replaced, and discarded at an ever-accelerating rate.”

How do we do this? With planned obsolescence and perceived obsolescence.

It worked-- for a while—but such practice is not sustainable. Unlimited growth is not sustainable. Unlimited disposal is not sustainable. We know that now.Buy local, direct from the farmer, and don’t worry about meat recalls from large, impersonal industrial producers.

In 2008 we’ve reached another transition point in history. We need a new economic paradigm—one based on enlightened rationality and sustainability if the planet and the human race is going to survive. What can each one of us do about such an overwhelming problem? What can you do about it?

Buy less. Dispose of things properly. And practice the green mantra—reduce, reuse, recycle. That’s the answer.

WEDNESDAY, May 21
Today's Small Step: Buy less. It's important.
Consuming less is this week’s theme--an important step on the green path.

Here’s a question for you. How much of the products we buy are still in use six months after we buy them? 80%? 50%? Guess again. It’s one percent! Only one percent of the products we buy are still in use six months after the sale date. 99% of what we buy is trash within six months. That’s a staggering statistic.

In modern American society, we buy and throw away, buy and throw away, buy and throw away without thinking…

…Without thinking if we really need the these things we buy.

…Without thinking what wanton disposal does to the planet.

It’s time we stopped this mindless cycle. It’s not sustainable. Each time you pull out your wallet to buy something, ask yourself: “Do I really need it?” If not, put your wallet away. Save some money. And save some natural resources in the process.

Buy less!

THURSDAY, May 22
Today's Small Step: Buy Less
I know, yesterday’s tip was “Buy Less.” And the day before, too. Well, this is so important, I’m making my case three times.

Did you know Americans consume ten times more than we did 40 years ago? In the past three decades, such consumption has destroyed 1/3 of the planet’s resources.

• 80% of our forests are gone
• 40% of our waterways are undrinkable
• 75% of fisheries are fished at or beyond capacity

That’s all a result of our spoiled and wasteful consumer habits.

We’ve made consumption our way of life. Our value as people is based on things—how much we own, the latest fashion, the current trend.

Such an economy is inherently unsustainable. According to scientists, at this point in history we need the equivalent of four to five more earths to support our consuming lifestyles.

What’s the solution? Buy less!

Don’t purchase mindlessly. Engage your brain. Before you buy anything, ask yourself: Do I really need it?

Start today with this small step—buy less!

FRIDAY, May 23
Today’s Small Step: Speak Up
Did you know of the world’s 100 largest economies, 51 are corporations?

So when it comes to truth in labeling, or putting products on store shelves that may contain harmful chemicals, who do you think the government seeks to protect? Not the lowly consumer, that’s for sure. Those 51 large corporations have a lot of economic clout. So much for a government “…for the people.”

The way it works in our consumer culture is this:

• Manufacturers are allowed to put products on store shelves without testing for long-term health effects.
• No one knows if long-term use of a product (say a plastic water bottle or lead in toys) is harmful until consumers start complaining about it.

Even then, chances are retailers will respond quicker than our government will, by pulling the product from store shelves. Only then will the government take a closer look, read scientific reports, and decide if a chemical or other substance should be banned.

So, speak up! With your voice and with your dollar.

One thing business understands better than anything else is the bottom line. If you have a problem with a particular product, tell the retailer where you purchase that product. Let them know you are no longer buying the item, and tell them why.

Ask your friends do to the same. If enough of us do this, we can make a difference. It’s happened before, it can happen again. Speak Up!