The Defaulted Green Culture

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free… send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me…” I’m sure that in 1883 Emmaus Lazarus could not have imagined that environmentalists would be singing a very similar tune in an effort to increase the social consciousness of our society in 2008. I’m equally as certain that environmentalists could not have anticipated the recent pilgrimage of the unrestrained population they vehemently protested by way of snubbing their gas guzzling cars, sprawling energy thieving houses, and unbridled ‘live for today, to hell with tomorrow(and the earth)’ lifestyles.

Next year this time there will be a new environmentally conscious culture into the Greening of America movement. This group has had an eye opening experience similar to that of the proverbial person who bites off more than he can actually chew. This overextended, drive-thru generation has managed to create a volcano of debt whose rich, hot lava has begun to ooze out all throughout the countryside. This eruption has come in the form of over extension of consumer debt which initially allowed for more ‘stuff’; the resetting of past mortgage rates which initially allowed for more house; and the bigger, gas guzzling cars which initially allowed for bigger egos.

Yes, this year we’ve seen gas prices hit an all time high. According to Gasbuddy.com, a portal site that offers local real-time gas price information throughout the USA and Canada, today’s regular gas prices are $3.980 , up from $3.16 just a year ago.

Additionally, RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosed properties, reported recently that default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions increased 57 percent from its 2007 pace. When the smoke clears from the foreclosures, repossessions, and bankruptcies resulting from the ‘excessive lifestylers’ obsession with instant comfort and convenience there will emerge a new community of environmentalists. These (ex)excessive lifestylers will be called the Defaulted Green Culture. Els(excessive lifestylers) will- as the trend is now…settle for more energy efficient, environmentally friendly houses, vehicles, and lifestyles.

Here’s how this will unfold over the next year:
*Foreclosed ELs will choose smaller, cheaper housing to help recoup the equity, family cohesion and lost of ownership.
*Repossessed ELs will purchase smaller, more gas efficient vehicles with smaller payments and fewer pollutants.
*Credit Restricted ELs will make fewer cash purchases driven more by necessity than impulse.
*Cash Strapped ELs will shop more efficiently; recycling cans and bottles while clipping coupons in an effort to recoup their vanished discretionary income resulting from the lost of their homes, cars, and excessive debt.
*Bankrupt ELs will use this opportunity as a clean slate and vow to live a fuller, yet greener lifestyle.

The ELs will ultimately become green by their own ‘default’.