For years now, with escalating gas prices, and more restrictive emissions and pollution standards, single individuals and mass corporations have been seeking alternative sources for energy. The term "Go Green" has become a household phrase as consumers do everything in their power to become more eco conscious and environmentally friendly. Most of the proposals center around four chief options: electricity, solar, wind, and water. If you are anything like the "average consumer", you may have recently come to a revelation in your journey to said "Green-dom". "GOING GREEN, COSTS ALOT OF....Well...GREEN!"

Everyday it appears a new product pops out of the wilderness from lightbulbs, to household chemicals, to solar powered panels for the home. Electric cars seem to be the best choice to really take a stand in the eco-race, but the price range on some of the latest models could have you choosing to stick with its gas guzzling stepsister. Again, currently, I don’t have many friends who have the resources to purchase a new car, nor are they comfortable taking out another loan and increasing their debt when our national unemployment rate hovers brazenly at 10%. So, nice idea, but the implementation could take upwards of three to five decades in realistic terms, and though it is a good long term goal, it does little to solve the problems of the day.

Well, by now you’re probably saying, “Wow, this guy is a real beacon of hope. I’m going to read his stuff every time I’m feeling a little down for a good pick-me-up.” And this is where I say, “Hang on, I think we just might have something here.”

Enter companies like Greentye. Greentye is a small organization based in greater Los Angeles with what I consider to be some wonderful ideas to get us from here to there in solid, prudent, concrete moderation. Greentye offers products such as a solar powered backpack capable of recharging your cell phone, pda, or handheld game. They also offer solar powered briefcases, a “Go utility vest” that comes equipped with two independent power supplies, and sun-powered cargo pants, just to name a few.

Though it may be a small step in comparison to say, re-modeling your entire home with solar panels...I believe it will be this kind of practical ingenuity that will get this country back on its feet and back on track. As Carl Sagan once said, “If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” Baby steps, people - baby steps.

There is still a great battle to be fought in the war of environmental challenges, but with companies like Green Tye stepping up and offering simple cost effective strategies to impact our day to day lives, there is definitely a show of hope.




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