GWL Polymers- jello - economics

**F*@aol.com**

Doug,
nobody opens a can of worms better than you do. I've read your excellent  
piece on copolymers, but your questions here go way beyond Jell-O in a  pot.
Doug wrote,
"I want to make it clear that this response isn't about Lynn.   It's about us 
all as humans, as inhabitants of this planet and more   importantly as 
writers/leaders in the hort press.  Where do we  make 
choices?  How do those choices get made?"
Most choices get  made by the dollar sign. Consumers have better, less 
harmful choices to  make now because it has become economically feasible for 
companies to offer  those choices, because (a) industries can charge higher prices, 
or (b) because  petroleum prices are so high, biodegradable alternatives are 
approaching price  parity. Example: Plastic pots vs. rice- or straw-based pots. 
The gap has  narrowed. 
Consumers are willing to pay somewhat more for products that are, or are  
perceived to be, environmentally-friendly. The extra money is a sop to their --  
excuse me, our -- collective conscience. Paying more for  
organic/recycled/green is like writing a check to a local homeless shelter  rather than actually 
going there and serving meals. When money is tight, those  checks don't go out 
as often.
That sounds cynical. Sorry. But I believe it's accurate. Garden  writers can 
certainly appeal to the better angels of their readers, but can they  change 
human nature?  
JF 

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