Earth Day is a wonderful event that is an important driver of environmental causes. It educates and inspires people all over the world. And I have a problem with it. Here’s my Earth Day dilemma. It’s not you, Earth Day. It’s me.

The perception of people who work in the environmental field is often of a tree hugger or environmentalist. These terms can be endearing, but in this instance I use them derogatorily. I’ve been called both of these terms in both positive and negative settings. My dilemma is that Earth Day events often enhance or validate this stereotype, for better and worse. It’s the worse that bothers me. Continue reading →