The credit crunch and ‘greener lifestyles’

There was an interesting question asked on linkedin a day or so ago - it was this:  How has the current credit squeeze affected consumers’ interest in living a greener lifestyle?

Some of the answers are predictably daft and flippant, some are over the top ‘enviro-nut’, and … then there’s mine which I’ve copied below:

“I think there is a risk here that we view ‘greener’ as ‘organic’ and, as such, are suggesting that to live greener is to spend more money. That need not be the case.

One of our clients, Streetcar, rent out cars by the hour - so people only use cars when they need them and only pay accordingly. So you can save money AND help the environment.

Also, at my son’s school they teach environmental issues under a banner of ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ - each of these actually suggest money saving as opposed to money spending.  It’s a green message and suggests a credit squeeze could make people greener.

I don’t honestly feel greener lifestyles need be more expensive so don’t see how the credit crunch will affect them.  I think the only ‘green’ aspect that will be hit are those who are looking to piggy back off a green movement to try and make lots of money (fortunately many of those are now being exposed/asked to explain themselves over here at greenwash)

I guess people might be less inclined to buy organic chicken and more expensive locally sourced fruit but isn’t this just a small ‘let’s throw money at it’ part of the equation?”

Well hello again!