Looking for a greater concern

"Hike in the fuel prices? No issue. Thanks to Morgan A.E.C ... " [Not sure what the company name was :) ]

This was a hoarding that i saw put up on my way to office today. It really led me to some deeper thinking and introspection. Is it that the only issue people have the with the hike in fuel prices is the "money"? Are we really driven only by the glitter on wealth? Are finances our only concern?

I definitely realise that it is a marketing strategy and they are trying to find a selling point for their product. Nevertheless, it does bring these questions to my mind. There are very few people who see fuel prices as a dithering environment or lack of resources. What they think of is the actual "cost" in monetary terms. "Ecology", "eco-friendly" etc. have started seeming to be mere words to flaunt for a greater public without a real thought put into it.

That brings me to the other side of the coin- people who over-use the "eco" term without really keeping into consideration the real cost factor for the masses. A lot of designers I know or have seen are raving about their eco-products. The media appreciates this effort as a step towards an eco-friendly living. But a step by whom and for whom. Its just a few may be. The products are so heavily prices that a common man - the one who forms the majority in the world - can never afford it. I agree that eco-friendly products may be more expensive but it shouldn't be placed in a way that a person with an average income cannot afford it.

The real challenge is to promote "green environment and lifestyle" to the masses. Why do we have green products mostly in accessories that are a product set for the slightly more "well earning" crowd. Fancy bags, Lamps, Swanky home accessories, etc. dont fit into a common man's mind set.
A person earning little also buys his child a bag for school. But he cannot afford 4-5 different bags for a different day. Then why dont we make such utility bags at a lower cost? Its easy to design for the rich and target an affluent audience, but why dont a lot of designers take up the challenge of designing for the average?

No matter how many efforts are being made to promote green living, it brings me back to the idea "Eco-friendly is for the rich". I am forced to think about this idea!

Our society has become so "money driven" that money is as important oxygen. But we miss the point that the increase in the money is not getting us more oxygen. It is probably decreasing it! Sustainability and wealth should never be dependent - atleast not directly proportional.