The phrase “going green” brings to mind actions such as recycling, conserving water and using alternative forms of transportation. Those with a clear objective or “going green” do not think of $30 hemp shirts and overpriced cosmetics.

With the dawning realization that humanity is in the process of causing irreparable harm to the earth comes a business opportunity. Instead of creating products for the benefit of the environment, these opportunists make products for the “green-minded” citizens who are foolish enough to spend shocking amounts of money on everything from clothing to something as menial as alternative soap. This form of exploitation would not take place if people knew precisely why they decided to go green in the first place.

More people have become enlightened about environmental issues and have started to reduce their personal contribution to the earth’s deterioration. And because more people start joining a cause, others begin to support it with little clue why. A valid, exceedingly important issue becomes a fad. These shallow people join the bandwagon purely because everyone else is doing it, not because they have an overpowering sense of guilt gnawing at their souls. To the misguided, the green lifestyle is a fashion, a fleeting trend that means little more to them than designer handbags and shoes. For these people, going green is an excuse to show off personal wealth. If the money people are willing to lay down for bamboo shoes and green fuel for their private jets was to manifest itself in the form of solar panels, this society would probably be completely run on alternative energy by now. The arrogance and ignorance with which people conduct themselves under the pretense of upholding an honorable cause is despicable.

The purpose of going green is to make changes in one’s lifestyle in order to spare the environment from the damage inflicted by humanity’s thoughtlessness. Purchasing a $100,000 electric car does not stop global warming, and air pollution is not filtered out of the atmosphere by wearing a hat of organically grown hemp. The sooner people start realizing the true reasons for going green, the sooner the world can be restored to a natural balance between humans and their environment. Spending copious amounts of money on alternatives to products that damage the environment just as much as their “eco-friendly” counterparts is not the answer. Going green is a decision that should be made for the right reasons and carried out in a genuine manner. It is a choice made by those who truly have the interests of the earth at heart. People who have been misled into believing the accumulation of “green” material wealth means they care about the environment should step back and truly try to figure out how buying these products helps save the planet from humanity’s blunders. And those who believe their Tesla convertibles automatically make them accepted as environmentally concerned citizens should reassess their reasons for a costly enslavement to what they see as little more than a fad and opportunity to display monetary status in a seemingly respectable way.

—Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the staff (assenting: 26; dissenting: 9)

Before making a “green” purchase, think about it. Ask questions like, “what does this product do that will help the environment?” and “will I really be harming the earth if I buy its mainstream-brand counterpart?” Words and phrases like “green” and “eco-concious” have become a part of advertising jargon. Just because a product’s label says so does not mean it is any different from its less costly cousin.

Look at the price tag. If it is absolutely outrageous, do not buy it. One has to remember that just a few years ago, “green” products were often the sort of thing one would buy in a boutique on a splurge. The recent phenomenon of the green lifestyle is just that—recent. As long as one reads the ingredients and is careful not to buy what is known to be harmful, the fortune spent on everyday items is not necessary.