The BusyEvent Blog

Until going green becomes economical, are greenbacks more important than a carbon footprint? The view of many is that buying ‘green’ is consumerism with little ethical sprinkles on top.

Our entire economy is structured around built-in obsolescence from dispensable razors to food containers with no reasonable way to recycle them, technology that lasts 18 months and miles of carpet, Cat5 cable, lanyards and badges and all of the brochures at an event that serve their purpose and then are added to the junk heap of our lives after barely a few days of use.

Wire’s Marcus Timson, “Until a complete revolution in the minds and behavior of the consumer takes place, the environment will continue to be a fashionable marketing asset rather than a genuine care.”

This is especially true of the 78 Billion dollar printing industry where going green has been stifled under the pressures of an economic meltdown. There is a far more basic need than the environment; employment. However, if we continue to destroy our blue marble, how can we ultimately deliver anything worthwhile to our industry?

Again, according to Timson: “As an industry, it is not our fault that we pollute. It is not our responsibility to save the planet. We exist because there is a need. For the majority of society, motivated more by survival and desire for the protection of a nice lifestyle – going green is not a priority.” The view of many is that buying ‘green’ is consumerism with little ethical sprinkles on top.

So, what are we going to do? Even if we accept that there may be some manipulation of the earth warming data, shouldn’t we have some concern about the melting ice caps, the floating islands of garbage in the oceans, the un-breathable air and the never ending growth of waste land?

Until we get rid of the “greenwashing” of our language, will we ever, truly, green the events industry? Let’s accept the fact that most of us look for quality first, then costs and then . . . after a long line of variables . . . the green impact. Sure, if it’s easy we’ll do it but if it’s a choice between green and economics, which do you choose? Which do you promote to your client that has already told you their budgets are tight? Which, ultimately, wins out and when will that change, if ever?

And more to the point, who should step up to make that change? Clients? Event Managers? Technology providers? Society? Uncle Sam?