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We Americans get a bad rap from time to time—we're impetuous, self-interested, over-zealous, and consume everything in sight, the stereotype goes. I'm not usually one to intermingle stereotypes and clichés, but that saying about there being a bit of truth to every stereotype? Well.
I, for one, am guilty of each of those four great American semi-sins. It's hard not to be—I admittedly buy fast food on road trips, I'm prone to take road trips without considering the train, I make impulse buys and end up with unnecessary stuff, and don't pay attention to sustainable advice as often as I should.
And as it happens, one of the go-to ways of confronting each of those negative American tags is overloading on cynicism and generally disassociating yourself from the US ideologically—I've found myself doing exactly this (especially before, eh hem, the last 8 years)—most often when traveling or talking with foreigners, or perched on a bar stool, or, when my nerves get the best of me, when writing an overly venomous blog post or two. Simply and emphatically talking about how wrong our country's getting it can seem like an easy way around a tough conversation.
But it doesn't have to be that way. There are plenty of other intrinsic traits mixed up in the American stew that equip us with the tools to sort out our environmentally destructive shortcomings way more productively—how about a natural drive towards self-reliance, for starters? That's about as American as it gets, and it's an important foundation for a greener attitude. Or the incessant need to improve, to make better; that one's landed us some of the best services, products, and businesses in the world. And it will be instrumental in not only green for-profit ventures, but in each individual shift towards living more sustainably as well.
In other words, we're fully equipped to be thoughtful, optimistic, green Americans.
So, yes—we may be behind Europe in the clean energy technology game, we might be struggling to pass even weak laws that would combat greenhouse gas emissions when others have had such standards in place for years, and we might never have signed the Kyoto Protocol to signal our intent as the world's most powerful nation to lead the charge against climate change. There's a lot to get down about, I'll admit it. But we can't get discouraged now.
Be a Green American: Politics
Real change is happening, at least in environmental policy (the jury's still out on health care and finance regulation reform), in our federal, state, and local governments. Say what you will about the rest of his policies, but Obama has jump-started the green economy in a significant way with the stimulus bill and progressive budget. Money is heading to the states for any number of green measures, and it has thrown state and local-level governments into the green fray. So it's a better time than ever to get involved in politics, if only on the most basic level—pay attention to which green measures are cropping up in your city and state, and vote. You could help pass high speed transit plans and renewable energy initiatives at a crucial moment in the US's green history.
Be a Green American: Be Informed
While we're on the subject of paying attention—do it. Staying informed is half the battle. And I'm not talking about watching cable news for an hour or two each night. I mean dig in—read green news online; it's the easiest way to find the most current and pertinent information. And it may end up making you more optimistic than you would think—it's not all doom-and-gloom-climate-change-will-drown-us-all. People, organizations, and companies are constantly making progress towards a greener future in often unfathomable, always inspiring ways. Giant robots that fight forest fires, a group that rewards businesses for going green with a mob of customers, and a student who was willing to get arrested to save forests in his home state—it'll all make you think, and it's all just plain interesting.
Be a Green American: Take Action
And just by being knowledgeable, you'll likely find yourself in positions where you can help spread good ideas in conversation, and correct minor misconceptions (you'll likely have more trouble taking on the major ones).
Finally, try getting your hands dirty—volunteer with a green group, join Community Supported Agriculture, or pitch in at a community garden. You'll not only get some good, environmentally beneficial work done, but you'll most likely find yourself surrounded by thoughtful, optimistic, and green Americans.
And that may be the best way to set about becoming one yourself.
More on Being a Green American:
7 Great Green American Classics
What is American Food? A Green Eating Manifesto
Quiz: Are You a Green Globetrotter?
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
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