Sep 8 2008 9:29AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |
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Well, that's a relief. If there's one thing we needed, it's another green certification program. The National Association of Realtors has jumped on board the green gravy train with a new program that will certify Realtors as green specialists.
 
The certification will consist of a two-day program being offered starting in November. After all, one day just isn't enough, but two days? That'll cover everything you need to know. (Not that we should talk in the building industry. NAHB isn't requiring much more.)

All sarcasm aside, this is just another step down the "fad" road for green. I don't think green is a fad. It's a trend, based on important changes in the way we build. 

The problem, though, is that the alphabet soup of designations, certification programs and the such are creating a mess. With all the valid (more or less) programs out there, there's no way for the consumer to separate the real green from the greenwashing. As I've been working on our coverage for the annual green issue coming up in October, I've been talking to a lot of remodelers about this very subject, and it's something they're all worried about. 

Does Certified Green Contractor (or whatever you want to say) sound any less legitimate than Green Certified Professional? And if that continues, the failures of greenwashed "certified" products and contractors will paint a broad brush that will hurt everyone and make this disappear like a fad.