Green, it seems, has gone mainstream. You can’t pick up a newspaper or magazine without seeing an article or ad about “green issues.”  News stories about global warming scream at us each day and if you Google “go green” you’ll get over 60,000,000 hits that center on green initiatives in some form or another.  In other words, “go green” has become the new American mantra.

But, if the words:  carbon footprint, sustainability, and eco-friendly still leave you feeling a bit daunted, it’s understandable.  It seems that companies are launching “green” programs at warp speed and savvy marketers are offering all types of new environmentally friendly products -  from clothing to computers to cars - so that sometimes it’s hard to make sense of it all.

Ever wonder what’s so important about eco-friendliness anyway – and why all the hype?  Well, for starters, environmental responsibility is something that consumers, companies and governments are caring more about - and doing more about - with each passing year. From worsening reports on carbon dioxide emissions to long discourses on sustainability to dismal projections of climate change, the environment has become an increasingly important factor in our lifestyle and buying choices.

In fact, recent studies show 40% of consumers seek eco-friendly products and 77% of companies anticipate spending more on environmental programs in the future. With major retailers now pursuing all types of green initiatives from reduced packaging to compact fluorescent light bulbs, the green movement has truly hit the mainstream.

That being said, it’s important to note that not everyone agrees with the need to “go green” or the value of eco-friendly products.  The green frenzy has some consumers and experts asking how, if at all, this new trend addresses our current climate predicament.  Some see “green-lightenment” as heartening and since it creates demand for more environmentally friendly products, many think it’s a definite move in the right direction. Yet, there are those on the other side of the fence asking if a fad can really save us.

Obviously, no one thinks that green consumption alone can get us out of our climate predicament, but for as many that believe that we can’t shop our way to sustainability, there are an equal number that believe that it’s at least a start – and maybe the catalyst for much bigger changes in the future.

What are your thoughts on the go-green craze? Is it just a fad or is it the start of a sweeping change of the American mindset?  Have you jumped on the green bandwagon yet?  If not, why so?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.