[Reader-list] Ecological Intelligence: We need to take responsibility for what we buy

[Chintan]

*We need to take responsibility for what we buy*

Daniel Goleman, author of *Emotional Intelligence* and *Social Intelligence*,
says we need to work on our collective relationship with the planet. In his
new book, *Ecological Intelligence*, he argues we can do that in part by
making smarter shopping choices.

*E.B. Boyd <http://www.odemagazine.com/people/E.B.%20Boyd> | June/July 2009
issue*


*What is ecological intelligence?*

"Ecological intelligence extends social intelligence—which is about our
relationships with each other—to our relationships with the whole world, all
ecosystems. It means we become intelligent about how our own
activities—particularly the things we buy and use—impact nature."

*Doesn’t that just mean buying things stamped "green"?*

"Almost every time we buy something because we think it’s green, it’s not
nearly as virtuous as we think. For example, I bought a T-shirt that was
‘organic,’ meaning the cotton was organic. But it’s still cotton. Cotton
uses vast amounts of water. Plus almost all textile dyes are carcinogens.
They’re dangerous to the people who dye the shirt. We need to think about
the total picture, rather than just one thing."

To read more:
 http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/64/daniel-goleman