Sarah LePage’s critique of the article Progress Toward Sustainability: A Report Card and a Recommended Agenda make a good point that even though there is progress being made in terms of sustainability, there is still much to be done. However, I do not agree that things are as bad as they seem. Yes, the Dernbach report paints a glowing picture of sustainability, and does not spend considerable time on what still needs to be done in the future.
The report was not meant to be a laundry list of what still needs to be done in sustainability, it was to track progress. It is difficult to state that we have made little progress and even regressed in some areas. LePage’s viewpoint is based on personal experiences, rather than the overall picture. Perhaps her local paint store does not carry low VOC paint, but large national chains like Lowe’s and Home Depot have an entire section with educational pamphlets to inform the public about them.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Report Card on Sustainability".
The same can be said for the organic food movement. Perhaps Portland, Oregon does not have as many choices as LePage would like, but the organic movement as a whole is growing by leaps and bounds. Popular television celebrities tout the goodness of organic foods and serve as advocates for the movement. Choices are beginning to increase and consumer pressure has helped to lead improvements in labelling requirements. Many major grocery chains have an entire section devoted to organic produce. The growth of national organic grocery chains such as Whole Foods signals a surge in demand for organic products. Organic foods have gone mainstream. Conventional foods still overpower the number of organic foods, but this does not diminish the growth of the organic movement. I agree that transparency has increased and that it will continue to do so in the future (Probst, 2011).
