Here is a response to one of my blogs. I think it is good enough to pass on again:

For some folks who seem hostile toward ecologically positive personal choices, it may be an issue of justification combined with a tad of guilt.

I'm not referring to the larger issues that may have more political controversy; I mean everyday things - criticizing someone for trying to live greener or cleaner, for choosing healthier food, or going out of their way to conserve.

I think the internal dialogue goes something like this:

"Bob drives a Toyota Prius, recycles most of his trash, uses compact flourescent lightbulbs and picks up trash when he goes fishing. I don't do any of those things. Maybe I should. But nobody likes to be judged. I bet Bob thinks he's better than me. Well, this is America, and I have the right to do as I please and nobody can shame me for it. In fact, Bob's probably kind of an obsessive freak anyway.”

The person may further reinforce this by initiating a discussion with Bob and, out of a bit of guilt, end up poo-pooing Bob's efforts and trying to remind himself that he's "normal" while Bob is a little "wacko." He'll look for Bob to be the least bit inconsistent, like tossing a bit of paper in the trash or driving out of state on vacation, and decide Bob's a hypocrite.

The positive side is that once there's an economic incentive for being green, suddenly Bob's a sensible guy after all, and more will follow his example.

Many of us remember our mothers telling us to turn off the light when we left a room, using empty mayonnaise jars and butter bowls for leftovers, and even reusing aluminum foil instead of throwing it away. My family used to save the colorful Sunday comics all year and wrap kids' presents in them. They reduced, reused, and recycled long before it was an ecological idea at all, and we look back with respect at their frugality.

The more being green in lifestyle saves some green in our pocket, the more we'll gradually adopt it.