It is very easy to sit and criticize industries and governments for not being green enough. It is something most people do from time to time. But does this really lead to anything good?

Engagement, positive reinforcement and the wow factor have been on the topic this week on the blog. Wouldn’t all these be something to take one step further, beyond the individual? For example, the car industry is currently doing all they can to develop environment friendly vehicles with as small emissions as possible. Yet, you still see all kinds of articles about hating cars, mistrusting the industry’s intentions and commitment. Does it matter WHY they sell a greener product, as long as they do it? And how can they invest in the idea when a large part of the environmentalist movement will cry havoc anyway, simply because the products are cars?

The same is true for many other branches of industry. Many of them want to do their part for the environment. The management boards consists of humans after all and many of them are surely as worried about climate change as everyone else. Wouldn’t it be better to be positive for every step in the right direction instead of complaining it is not enough?

I think the whole environment debate often take the easy way by thinking in us vs. them. Why not making allies and friends instead and support each others? Positive reviews on a new green product and more sells  mean that more money will be spent on green production and greener products. A good step, don’t you think?

But it is also important for the industry to really commit and care about their environmental work. By making a stand and handing out free bus tickets, building bike parkings and installing necessary shower rooms/lockers and being open with their environmental work, the company can make the employees proud of working at their plants. They will spread the word, and it will be good PR for the company.

It is pretty obvious were I am going with this, right? Let’s keep a critic eye on the industry, but instead of complaining we should demand greener alternatives and give positive responses when we get it. A friendlier tone in the debate were we listen to each other may well be better then continuing the “dirty greedy industry” vs. the “treehugging hippies” thing. It is getting old.

Fredrik