Green Marketing, A NW Business Ploy?

Green marketing is wearing out it's label as far as I can see here in the Pacific NW. Having been involved in the solar energy market since 1976 and a Design /Builder of solar structures and heating systems in the mid-1980's, I think its been taken to the extreme here in Portland.

I mean the sun actually shines in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. My passive solar homes build in Upstate NY are still functioning right along , after 25 years. At the time I utilized "local, natural materials", conservation, and design vs hardware.

The NW and this Liberal viewpoint of a "Lower Carbon Footprint" pervades almost every aspect of commerce. Clothing (natural fibers), retail malls(vegan stores, food markets), coffee (Starbucks?), cars ($25,000 electric and hybrid cars), small "footprint" 550 Sq ft "earth friendly" $250,000 condos, and blah, blah, blah.

This marketing ploy is aimed at the young urban hipster(YUPPIES) who have high incomes and no kids (DINKS). Who need $1500 folding bikes, kayaks parked at the Marina they take the Street car to, spend $1500+ to go camping with REI, Columbia, or Northface Equipment. Everything is green in Portland.....and expensive. I think it is a ploy.

Yes, it works!


Some web sites to review:

http://www.greenbuilding.com/

http://www.green-living.com/

http://lighterfootstep.com/