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By Robert Francis
For those paying even the slightest bit of attention to the world around them these past couple of years, “going green” is quite a familiar term. To some, I realize it simply represents the latest fad – something the media churns out stories about because their viewers, listeners and readers will hopefully find it a trendy, “feel good” topic. And there is no doubt that news reports of individuals and companies “going green” do serve this very purpose.
But in my case, and for so many of my peers who are part of the so-called “Generation X”, making a conscious choice in both my personal and professional life to become an active member of the rapidly growing “Green Movement” represents no mere “Here now, gone tomorrow” fad. It is nothing less than a fundamental shift in how we are choosing to live and work on a daily basis.
For example, according to a major recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive, a significant and growing number of us Gen X’ers have clearly begun to “walk the walk” when it comes to keeping environmental concerns top of mind in our daily lives. According to the poll, nearly 60% of my age group has reduced the amount of energy we use in our homes. Almost half of us are now regularly purchasing energy efficient appliances. More than 25% of my fellow Gen X’ers are regularly buying locally grown food. Finally, more than 300,000 hybrid cars were sold in the U.S. during 2008, with many sales projections for 2009 doubling or tripling that number as more new and appealing models come on line.
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