Remember a simpler time when Earth Day was about recycling glass, discouraging litterbugs, and cleaning up oil spills? This Sunday, your local observance of this enviro-religious holiday is more likely to feature vegetarian and organic food promotions. The Sacramento Bee’s preview article is a good example of how the “natural foods” industry is reaping a financial windfall from Earth Day 2001 by trying to scare consumers about conventional agriculture. Although this year’s theme is “Clean Energy Now!” (their exclamation point), the real focus seems to be on the food nannies. One large, local organic food store’s marketing manager told the Bee: “Most people have so much to do just to get through the day, it’s difficult to imagine how to prevent air and water pollution, …but buying organic foods helps all pollution issues because we are supporting farmers who aren’t contributing to pollution.”
