In today's society, technology has led to the immediate global distribution of new ideas, concepts, and actions with a couple of “clicks.” Consequently, trends become global, their rate of growth increasing exponentially from the large injections of money that companies, interest groups, and governments put into marketing.  As with other seemingly prosperous trends, the marketing industry has began its sale of “green” living.  Without more than a superficial understanding of the goods, services, and processes they are paid to market, the advertising industry has redefined “green” as another product able to be consumed by the average person.     Most people today have a shallow understanding of the dynamic, coined term “green,” viewing it through the eyes of a consumer, as if it were a commodity, provided to them by the benevolent and trustworthy economic and industrial machine.  The truth, however, is that being “green” refutes the validity of these entities and their current business ethics, which are built upon the shaky and unsustainable foundation of “planned obsolescence.”    “Green” is not just a practice, like consumerism, it is a principal rooted in a specific, ethical perspective.  Along with conscious consumerism, being “green” involves a more holistic application to one's lifestyle. It means allowing the “green” principle to permeate every aspect of one’s interactions with the environment.  Thus, being “green” involves active participation in sustainable living and the empowerment of self-governance.     Conscious consumerism is the easiest place for people to start on their green path.  It is our habit, and has been instilled as a necessity, to purchase finished goods.  However, the informed individual does not simply buy the product listed as "green."  A company does not have to embrace "green" ethics to market its products as such.  More research into the company and current regulations are necessary to truly evaluate a company's claim to being “green.”  Examples of this kind of loose labeling can be found in the organic food industry.  Recently, the standards that need to be met in order to classify food products as organic have been reduced.  Therefore, products that are not one hundred percent organic may still be labeled as such.  Additionally, some supermarkets, including some health food stores, have begun selling their organic produce individually wrapped in plastic wrap, occasionally supported underneath by a Styrofoam plate or board.  The “green” consumer should be appalled by this practice.  The nutritious soil, so hard to regenerate and in an inherently small global supply, will be of no use to grow any food of any kind or quality if it is being contaminated by the chemicals and processes used in the extracting, manufacturing, and disposing of this unnecessary packaging material.         The conscious consumer also researches where the food stocking the shelves of their supermarket is grown and by whom it is sold.  Laborer safety and environmental regulations differ from country to country and may not be up to the "green" par, which respects the entire life-cycle assessment of a good or service.  The “green” par translates to safe work conditions free of toxins which compromise the health of both people and the environment. It also incorporates responsible methods and processes involved in the manufacturing, shipping, and the maintenance of technologies and buildings in order to maintain high efficiency output, and the strict adherence to labor rights.       Purchasing foods that have been grown locally by local farmers, as opposed to having been shipped across the country or further, is also a "green" practice as it cuts down on carbon emissions otherwise released during the shipping process.  Buying locally, from within one's community, keeps the community thriving and more sustainable as well. To enhance the practice of sustainable food consumerism, it is also wise to buy foods when they are in season.     Sustainability is synonymous with the definition of "living green." Being a conscious consumer is important because it can drive the market to improve itself and its practices.  However, being “green” involves reducing our society's impact, individuals' footprints, and living a more sustainable life, not buying one.  Living more sustainably means needing, wanting, and consuming less.  Today, people across the globe who want to live more sustainably have a number of practices available to them: growing a small food and herb garden, collecting rainwater and recycling grey water, making their own compost, living closer to where they work, cycling, using public transportation, practicing energy saving methods, as well as investing in or building a supplementary renewable energy resource unit for their home.  All of these things help in making the individual and his or her community more sustainable.  Additionally, "planned obsolescence" necessitates the indefinite consumption of a product and, therefore, the constant extraction of nonrenewable resources.  Rather than supporting this industry standard, people can have machines serviced and fixed by local laborers or, sometimes, by taking the time out to do it themselves.  This practice gives back to the community, empowers the individual, and reduces further destruction of the natural environment.     It is essential for there to be better education in society regarding the environment, life-cycle assessments, and industry practices.  A comprehensive understanding of the quantifiable energy expended in the production of everything from food to technology would increase society's respect for this living planet and give a collective new perspective and direction. Only by identifying problems can solutions be created for them.  By understanding the processes and methods by which goods and services are acquired, the problems within those systems can be more readily identified.     Nature is an efficient worker and producer, constantly struggling to adopt solutions for the consequences of current lifestyle trends.  To be sustainable, society must remain adaptable, ready, willing, and able to effect change when problems arise.  Once society can collectively engage in a more dynamic approach to living, once people can minimize the affects of their lifestyles and live in harmony and balance within the environment's capabilities, then societies across the globe will have the ability to lay claim to "being green."