GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

Going Green in Todays Environment Annotated Bibliography

Jessica Kane
James Madison University

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

Introduction:
Going green is defined as the process of changing ones behavior or lifestyle to help
maintain, protect, and benefit the environment. In todays society, the rate of consumerism is at
its highest. Natural resources are running low and the environment is in desperate need of saving
to keep the Earth, the home in which we live, safe and healthy for years to come. This topic and
argument are of tremendous interest to me based upon the different viewpoints and methods of
sustainable living the term going green acknowledges. Despite the knowledge and extensive
research on the topic, an insufficient number of consumers have put the ideas and methods into
action. Together, the need to become green is urgent. After emphasizing the gravity of the topic,
I aim to share with my audience ways to go green as well as ways to benefit the environment,
one small step at a time. Going green not only has an outstanding effect on protecting the earth,
but it has beneficial effects on the consumers who choose the lifestyle of helping the
environment.

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

Green Jobs. (2011, Dec 27). Issues & Controversies. Retrieved from
http://icof.infobaselearning.com
In the article, Should the U.S. government invest in green jobs, the unknown
author provides a controversial argument with two valid but opposing viewpoints on the
topic of whether the federal government should become involved in providing green jobs for
employers and companies. The supporters of government involvement advocate claims such
as the providence of careers and employment (Going Green, 2011, para. 1), the success
that comes out of the government becoming involved in new technological developments
(Going Green, 2011, para. 10), and the importance of going greens positive long-term
effects on daily lives (Going Green, 2011, para. 43). However, those who oppose
government involvement present claims such as the federal government having poor
judgement of a companys viability (Going Green, 2011, para. 2), the ineffectiveness of
the help that may be received (Going Green, 2011, para. 37), and the interference with the
regular operations of the free market (Going Green, 2011, para. 35).
The audience of the article discusses those looking to sympathize with or oppose the
support of the government manifesting green jobs and a green environment in the work
force. Although the author is unknown, the article is incredibly extensive and precise and
provides key points, statistics, and other bibliographies as empirical references. Pie charts
and graphs are used in the article to provide a means of persuasion to support the need for
assistance from the government. This academic article was published at the end of 2011.
Although there are two strong viewpoints for and against the matter, the author provides
historical references contributing to both sides of the argument. While discussing the
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GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

opposing viewpoints, the author referred to Solyndra, which was a solar power company that
failed and as a result, filed for bankruptcy (Going Green, 2011, para. 3). Solyndra had
received help from the government in the form of millions of dollars in loans (Going
Green, 2011, para. 4). Although the article provides little bias opinions, a chart is portrayed
exclaiming that the percentage of those who support government involvement trumps the
percentage of those who oppose. A ratio of 62% agree the investment would be useful and
31% argue it would be a waste of money. The rest claim they do not know or care what
would be best for the economy and businesses.
Should the U.S. government invest in green jobs was incredibly beneficial to my
research topic of going green. It was a strongly detailed source with key statistics needed to
evaluate two opposing viewpoints on the matter. The research I obtained from this article
provided a broader outlook on the topic as a whole, such as the damage that could happen to
the environment if going green is placed into effect in an incorrect or insufficient manner.

Krishnan, M. (2013, May 20). Eco-friendly economy: from financial institutions to real
estate firms, more and more companies see profit in going green. Maclean's, 126(1920), 59+. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com
The author of this article, Krishnan Manisha, is a well-known reporter, analysist,
editor, and journalist for a variety companies. She explains how a business, Vancity, which is
a credit union in Vancouver, chose to take initiative to begin a project to create a livelier and
ecofriendly work environment for employees. Years later, Vancity established a sky
garden where fresh vegetables are delivered once a week to the community as well as
partaking in numerous environmental awareness projects (Krishnan, 2013, para. 3). Vancity

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

is now known as a model of environmental stewardship business (Krishnan, 2013, para.

2). Based off the previous article about the different viewpoints on green business, the
business is a proven success that eco-friendliness in the work force makes for a beneficial,
awareness promoting, and community involving environment. Manisha argued that with so
many companies touting green policies nowadays, it can be difficult sometimes to
differentiate the legitimate ones from those just jumping on the bandwagon (2013, para. 8).
Arguing that some companies are merely just mimicking others, she makes a claim that
businesses are starting to acknowledge the benefits and positive outcomes that evolve form
an eco-friendly work environment.
Manisha displays no bias views or outlooks and she backs up her claims with
statistics and quotes from directors and CEOs of businesses. She even portrays small steps
businesses could take, such as reducing paper waste, to begin transforming into green (2013,
para. 9). Quoting Neil Crawford, a partner of Aon Hewitt, the author explains his views of
green policies as good business and raising the expectations of employees in social and
environmental areas (Krishnan, 2013, para. 8). Instead of being directed at an audience who
does not necessarily support or criticize the idea of environmental business, the article is
directed at those who might question the effect going green would have on a business.
Quoting Keith Treffry, the director of communications and development for Earth Day
Canada, he proclaims we are living in a much more consumer-savvy world now, which
means we're able to hold companies accountable in ways we haven't been able to do before
(Krishnan, 2013, para. 8). Manisha continues to provide examples that explain the benefits
going green has on businesses and the environment. The author published this piece in an
academic journal that was produced only two years ago.

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

This source is useful for my topic about the beneficial outcomes eco-friendly has on the
environment and surrounding workforce. Instead of proclaiming negative viewpoints or facts of
an eco-friendly work environment, it exclaims the positive sides to it. With small changes to the
company, Vancity soon begins to realize large outcomes. Vancity now works with many
companies promoting grants for green programs at schools, spreading awareness, and sponsoring
organic food growth (Krishnan, 2013, para. 3). This broadened my viewpoint on companies
going green because of the impacts and profits it creates in the future of the business and the
community. From the article, I understood that if more businesses follow this path, the change to
the workforce everywhere could be tremendous.
Palmer, K. (2010). The extra costs of Going Green on Consumer Products Are Often Justified.
In D. A. Miller (Ed.), Current Controversies. The Green Movement. Detroit: Greenhaven
Press. (Reprinted from U.S. News & World Report, 2009, July 28) Retrieved from
http://ic.galegroup.com
The author of this article, Kimberly Palmer, focuses on one main topic: the price of going
green. Palmer exclaims, going green sometimes comes with a price (2010, para. 1). Referring
to the cost of organic food, eco-friendly home improvement projects, or products one uses on a
daily basis; the organic products or services can be expensive. However, the article proposes that
simpler, cost-friendly options exist which will make going green easy and beneficial in the long
run. For instance, using home made products, rationing products, and scoping out the cost of
other food items to trim a budget in the grocery store (Palmer, 2010, para. 8).
Kimberly Palmer is the senior editor and blogger for the U.S. News and World Report, a
business and financial news magazine. Although the author does not include a works cited page,

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

over 35 other sources are referenced for viewing at the end of the article. Palmer uses in cite
quotations from other authors and sources such as: Diana MacEachern, Maggie Wood Design,
and Jennifer Taggart. Taggart exclaimed, dont be afraid to make your own homemade cleaners,
its how our grandmothers cleaned (Palmer, 2010, para. 12). This specific quote ties together the
use of cutting back, reducing, and going green by limiting consumption and becoming selfsufficient.
This article is the oldest source I researched, going back to 2010. Although the source is
the oldest, I believe it provides adequate knowledge and appropriate facts that are useful when
looking to reduce consumption. As todays society consumes more than it ever has before,
cutting back in simple, inexpensive steps are the small paths that need to be taken to begin to
help the environment. I witnessed connections from this article and a previous article I viewed in
the beginning of my research on the topic going green. In the first article I read, the author
made a comparison to cutting back on materialistic people did during the Great Depression.
During that economic crisis, people survived by buying and rationing only what was needed and
replacing items only when it was needed. Looking at what Taggart exclaimed, if we followed the
footsteps of our grandparents and how they lived, we could begin cutting back, as well.
Register, R. (2011). Green cities must serve people instead of cars. In R. D. Lankford, Jr. (Ed.),
At Issue. Green Cities. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Retrieved from
http://ic.galegroup.com
In this article, which was written by Richard Register, a vision is provided of an entire
new system of manufacturing to promote not only eco-friendly businesses, but also eco-friendly
cities. Richard Register is the President of Eco-city Builders of Oakland, California, and the

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

author of Eco-cites: Building Cities in Balance with Nature. This article discusses the myths of
the green car that proclaim cars may become more energy efficient but will never become
energy systems that help the environment. Register has a strong vision of entire new cities
packed together thereby eliminating the use of cars because everything in the city is within
walking distance. The surrounding areas of the cities would be filled with eco-villages complete
with acres of natural areas, open spaces, and small farms (Register, 2011, para. 3). Explained as
a lasting environmental solution, eco cities would be built to serve people and offer lasting
solutions to our most pressing environmental problems (Register, 2011, para. 24).
The audience Register aims to attract is one filled with an open-mind and vision on what
could potentially help the world and environment everyone calls home. His vision would
transform the entire way cities are built and would almost diminish the car in totality. There are
many flaws to his article and he provides bias opinions throughout the entire source. In the
middle of the article, Register he quotes former Sierra Club President Adam Webach who
explains no one is offering a future vision to the problem with environmental awareness today.
Register replies with an extreme bias opinion saying, Excuse me? Dozens of environmental
thinkers have been offering such a vison for 30 years. Ive co-produced five international Ecocity conferences on five continents, written three books and been invited to speak on every
continent (2011, para. 14-15). As he is the author as well as the mastermind behind his vision
and plans, Register provides no controversial arguments or facts in the source. Although no
works cited page is included, Register quotes some men and companies in paragraphs and has
numerous sources to reference after in further readings.
I found this article incredibly captivating because it did not show or explain small steps to
help the environment and what actions are needed, however it provided a plan and a vision that
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GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

would take decades to complete and trillions of dollars, as well. I was broadened with a different
viewpoint on the situation and topic as I realized many people have bright visions and are ready
to be heard. The eco-city vision is a far-fetched idea but with more contributors to helping make
the environment a green place, little by little, it could be realized in the future.
Seeking green motivation; new research sheds light on what it takes to get individuals involved
in reducing their own carbon footprint. (2015, May 18). Globe & Mail [Toronto,
Canada], p. S2. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com
This article, written by Mike Hager, discusses that most individuals today have the
knowledge obtained of the necessity to become more environmentally aware and place it into
action. Although so many are aware of the need, rarely do they actually conform and become
more environmentally friendly. A survey was done in 2007 stating 70% of the individuals
surveyed exclaimed the fact they were aware of climate change and they knew they should take
action but did not know how it should be done (Hager, 2015, para. 4). The author further states
that the best way to place awareness into action is to research and inform on how to do so.
Mike Hager did not provide a very credible article because he condensed the article into a
much smaller version than the original. The paper was my least academically qualified source
because of the poor structure of the paper, the lacking credibility of the author, and the misuse of
citations and resources provided. The audience is looking to aim for anyone willing to make a
change and place awareness into action. When explaining why people often do so little to reduce
their carbon footprint, Hager exclaimed, They don't know what to do first, how to do it. Most
people are busy and got to get their kids to the hockey rink etc. You have to see it and have it be
laid out for you in some ways that make it very tangible, visible and beneficial (2015, para. 4).

GOING GREEN AND ENVIRONMENTALISM AWARENESS

Although he makes a valid point, Hager informs his audience with a lack of academically
qualified verbs and phrases. It was a very relevant article published in 2015, but I do not believe
the survey was reliable considering the fact that it was done in 2007.
All in all, this source was my least sufficient and knowledgeable source. However, after
reading the article, it reminded me that many people are aware of climate change and the strong
impact it is having on the Earth. Though the awareness, statistics, and information about the
necessity to save our home planet is strong and prevalent, the lack of people willing to take
initiative is what will do the most damage in the long run. I believe this source helped with my
research topic because it reminded me that I am very strong willed, yet I personally take few
steps to help protect my environment. To truly become a part of this great cause, every single
person needs to take action and take action now.

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