Go Green or Bust

It's no news flash that "environmentally friendly" is the new black in modern US society. Recycling, reusable bags and the Prius are more en vogue than anything Cosmo can throw at us and god forbid you don't separate paper from plastic. It seems to me that living environmentally friendly is more a popular demanded norm than a feel good personal choice at this point. Living green, going green and basically anything green can qualify you as a good person in our new enviro-enthused culture. But to take it further and be a "good environmentalist" takes an entirely dedicated type of individual. We all know the type, they wear Tevas, bike to work and install solar panels; Stanley Fish knows the type too and from his narrative it would appear that living (particularly in wedlock) with Mother Nature's biggest fan is often a struggle. So where's the line between living in an environmentally friendly way and being a good environmentalist? Is there one? Sure; but in modern-day US society, depending on the region, said line is rather blurred and often confused. That is to say, everyone will announce they're environmentally friendly at a dinner party but may go home at night and "forget" to recycle the milk carton or leave a hallway light on. On the other hand, good environmentalists would have separate recycling bins in their kitchen for cardboard and plastic along with environmentally approved lightbulbs, like Fish references, dimly lighting their halls. I believe the struggle Fish outlines in his article stems from the social obligations of environmentalism in US society and more so the extra effort and overall consciousness that being environmentally friendly requires in the modern-day. Furthermore, to be a good environmentalist you've really got to be on your game because ignoring the "rules" for even just a day could put you in the hot seat. It may seem difficult to some, but the social and physical structures are already in place to transition Americans toward total environmentalism. And regardless of Fish's complaints, how hard can it be to live in an environmentally friendly manner and soon evolve into good environmentalists? I mean even the Grouch recycles now, c'mon people.