5 Green Industry Myths

Can you sort out fact from fiction when it comes to the green industry? Let us know your thoughts about these eco-myths:

1. Myth: Renewable energy receives more government subsidies than the fossil fuel industry.
   Response: According to a report by the Environmental Law Institute, in the U.S., fossil fuel (natural gas, petroleum, and coal) received about $72 billion in subsidies between 2002 and 2008 while renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal) received about $29 billion during the same time frame. Worldwide, it’s estimated to be about $557 billion for fossil fuels and $46 billion for renewable energy during that same time frame.
2. Myth: Going green requires buying more expensive goods.
   Response: We’ve covered this before, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to go green. One of the greenest things that you can do is conserve resources. Buy less and use less electricity, packaging, and fossil fuels. This will actually save you money in the long run. When you do decide to invest in a green product, remember that it is better to buy a more expensive item once (i.e. reusable water bottle) than to keep buying inexpensive products (i.e. disposable water bottles).
3. Myth: You need to be a scientist to get a job in the green industry.
   Response: Not exactly… I work for an electronics recycling company and no one would mistake me for a scientist. Green companies need writers, accountants, marketers, and salespeople too!
4. Myth: Solar and wind are the only promising forms of renewable energy.
   Response: Iceland heats a majority of its homes through geothermal energy, which harnesses the heat of the earth. Hydropower is also an effective source of energy and we’re developing ways to utilize this better. Each area should work with its own natural resources to find something that works.
5. Myth: The fate of the green industry relies on winning the global warming/climate change debate.
   Response: Even those who don’t believe in global warming want to save money, right? Sometimes the eco-friendly choice is also the least expensive one. Do you have to believe in global warming to want a fuel-efficient car? Not necessarily—you could just want to save money on gas. Remember that fossil fuel is a finite resource that we are rapidly depleting. There is no place for the price of oil to go but up.

For more green myths:

• 7 Green Myths
• Energy Myths and Misconceptions
• The Effects of Green Marketing in Mainstream America