There is a new kind of environmental activism and it doesn't necessarily require chaining yourself to a tree or protesting on the streets (although those work too for those who are so inclined). 

No, what this new enviro-activism entails is simply... buying things.  We live in a world where the game that's being played is the game of money; 'Money is power'. We didn't ask for this game and we don't have a choice but to play.  But the truth remains that within this game's parameters; money is power.  Money buys security, money buys better technologies, and money even buys elections. 

Here's the good news.  There's great power in understanding how the game works.  Ever heard of voting with your dollar?  Well its true, everybody who spends money, which I dare say is all of us, has the power to decide which businesses and causes and corporations we want to support and which ones we don't.  The big-wigs in charge of the major corporations of the world are a lot of things but I guarantee you, they make their decisions based on the bottom line; profits!  If they see that their dirty, petroleum-based products aren't selling, they'll be quick to respond and give the people what they want; eco-friendly products.  Your power lies in every dollar that you spend and that is something nobody can ever take away from you.  Oh they'll try to trick you into forgetting that you have all the power but here we are to remind you. 

This is why the new environmental activism is about buying things.  It's about being a responsible consumer.  It's about supporting businesses, organizations and corporations, who in turn support political parties that have the planet's best interest in mind.  And yes it's about paying the extra $2 to support a small local, green product instead of opting for the cheaper, dirtier one. 

Use your imagination for a second:  What if everybody on earth suddenly switched to buying only environmentally sound products and services and switching their energy providers to a sustainable source and giving money to environmental research and development groups.  What would that look like?  I'll tell you what I see.  I see the end of dependence on oil (because we're all driving electric cars charged with solar power) therefor the end oil-driven wars.  I see power being wielded by the many instead of by the few.  I see the citizens of the world taking their power in their own hands and I see governments having no other choice than to take their constituents' needs to heart (what a concept!).  I see resurgence in local businesses and I see communities thriving.  I see a world globalized in its communications but localized in its economies.  I see happy people living in harmony with their environment instead of seeing it as a challenge that we must work against. 

The new environmental activism is, simply put, responsible and sustainable consumerism.  Some would argue that this isn't a new form of activism but it is new because it's become an effective starting point for new environmentalists joining the movement.  This new activism takes a little bit of research for someone just starting out.  Thankfully, there are people and groups out there doing the work for you and helping you make sustainable choices much more easily.  This is what we do at TheGreenCity.ca and the dream described in the last paragraph is our dream. 

Live into it with us.

Serge Charlebois

Owner, TheGreenCity.ca

s.charlebois@thegreencity.ca