At 40, Earth Day Is Now Big Business

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/business/energy-environment/22earth.html?ex=1287547200&en=bcf7d596a55c3e81&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=BU-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M146-ROS-0410-PH&WT.mc_ev=click


Terms
1. antibusiness- antagonistic toward business and especially big business
2. eco-consumer- a consumer who makes purchasing decisions partly or largely on the basis of ecological issues
3. pioneers- a person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development




Explanation

During the first Earth Day in 1970, organizers were anitbusiness. They did not accept money from corporations and had "teach-ins to challenge corporate and government leaders.” In 2010, Earth Day has become a " premier marketing platform for selling a variety of goods and services, like office products, Greek yogurt and eco-dentistry. Companies are adversiting their "green" products. Bahama Umbrella is advertising their special umbrella that has a drain to store and reuse rain water. Many of the original pioneers of the first Earth Day strongly believe that the intense advertising is detracting the original purpose of Earth Day. Denis Hayes, who was national coordinator of the first Earth Day, says "This ridiculous perverted marketing has cheapened the concept of what is really green." A multitude of corporations are eager to be involved with "green" products. This eagerness shows that American has increased tolerance toward "corporate America." Leading environmental organizations now must accept money from corporations in order to expand information about "green" products and living.


Prediction
Earth Day has been gaining popularity over the years and I think in the next few years almost all corporations will be involed with Earth Day. More "green" products will be produced and there will be more advertising for these products, whether it be in the form of a television commercial or billbord ad. It's fantastic that these corportaions are investing in "green" products, but I think they should also inform America that only buying "green" products is not the solution to end land fills, global warming, or other things that harm the environment.