Environmental Buzzwords Banned January 2, 2009

Lake Superior State University, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, recently issued their 34th annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen’s English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. The school selected 15 entries from about 5,000 nominations.

Environmental buzzwords are getting the axe this year. “Green” and “going green” received the most nominations. Obviously I care about being “green” or environmentally responsible or whatever you want to call it, so I was a bit surprised to see these two entries. On closer examination, it’s understandable, however. Once companies and the media grab terms as a catch phrase for marketing and entertainment value, they become diluted and meaningless. Numerous products and services now tout themselves as green. Are they really or is it just marketing jargon? If you’re like me, you’re pretty suspicious when companies who previously could not have cared less about being green suddenly are manufacturing products that scream green. You can’t avert global warming by buying so-called earth-friendly products, from clothing and cars to homes and vacations, when the cumulative effect of our consumption remains enormous and hazardous. As for carbon footprint and carbon offsetting, if we’re still buying SUVs and heating our pools to 85°, we’ve missed the point as a society. Whatever happened to REDUCE in reduce, reuse, recycle. Carbon offsets can seem like a “Get out of jail free” card where you don’t actually reduce your environmental impact, you just buy your conscience clean.

• Green – The ubiquitous ‘Green’ and all of its variables, such as ‘going green,’ ‘building green,’ ‘greening,’ ‘green technology,’ ‘green solutions’ and more, drew the most attention from those who sent in nominations this year.

This phrase makes me go green every time I hear it.” Danielle Brunin, Lawrence, Kansas.”I’m all for being environmentally responsible, but this ‘green’ needs to be nipped in the bud.” Valerie Gilson, Gales Ferry, Conn.

“Companies are less ‘green’ than ever, advertising the fact they are ‘green.’ Is anyone buying this nonsense?” Mark Etchason, Denver, Colo.

“If something is good for the environment, just say so. As Kermit would say, ‘It isn’t easy being green.’” Kevin Sherlock, Hiawatha, Iowa.

“If I see one more corporation declare itself ‘green,’ I’m going to start burning tires in my backyard.” Ed Hardiman, Bristow, Va.

“This spawned ‘green solutions,’ ‘green technology,’ and the horrible use of the word as a verb, as in, ‘We really need to think about greening our office.’” Mike McDermott, Philadelphia, Penn.

• Carbon footprint or Carbon offsetting – “It is now considered fashionable for everyone, tree hugger or lumberjack alike, to pay money to questionable companies to ‘offset’ their own ‘carbon footprint.’ What a scam! Get rid of it immediately!” Ginger Hunt, London, England.

Mike of Chicago says that when he hears the phrase ‘carbon footprint,’ “I envision microscopic impressions on the surface of the earth where an atom of carbon forgot to wear its shoes.”

Christy Loop of Woodbridge, Va., says that ‘leaving a carbon footprint’ has become the new ‘politically incorrect.’ “How can we not, in one way or another, affect our natural environment?”

The rest of the list – Lake Superior State University 2009 List of Banished Words

LSSU accepts nominations for the banished-words list throughout the year. To submit your nomination for the 2010 list, click on Submit a Word to Banish.

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