Why Do We Think Green Instead of Blue?
I am puzzled why green became the official color of the environmental movement. I suppose it is a little late for concern now, the practice dates back to at least the first Earth Day (April 22, 1970).
"Green is the color of life," one environmental friend explained. That of course is true if photosynthesis is your game. But is that what we mean when we say, "think green" or "green future" or "green economy?" Photosynthesis in the workplace! Think springtime in the Northeast!
We live on a decidedly blue planet.
If an exploring extraterrestrial civilization passes by here in its own version of the Half Moon (perhaps hopelessly lost, like the original), it will suspect there is life on our little smudge in space in part because we look blue, and from a very great distance. (See Pale Blue Dot below). Last March, NASA launched its Kepler mission to search for life on Earth-size planets. It is hoping to find evidence of water, the first indication that life might exist in other solar systems.
Think blue. You can't go wrong planning your future around restoring the most abundant stuff on the planet. Try it on, at least. It's a lovely color, a great fashion statement. Trust me, it's you -- or about 3/4 you.
Besides, the chlorophyll won't mind. Without water, it's nothing.
