Good taste and the environment

It’s not easy to get a section of people to change their ways or educate themselves about something that rarely impacts them on a personal level. The environment is important and everyone learns early on that recycling is good and pollution is bad, but education rarely goes beyond that.

With that in mind, many environmental groups have had to resort to outlandish displays in order to get any attention in the mainstream media and with the people. Some of these displays border on bad taste and it devalues the cause they are trying to promote. Take, for example, the “Endangered Species” condoms given out by the Center for Biological Diversity. The condoms are regularly given out at environmental events, clubs, colleges and anywhere else young amorous people tend to hang out. The condoms come in packaging that features various endangered species and funny sayings such as “Don’t Go Bare, Panthers Are Rare.” I have often found the “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign by PETA to be in the same vein.

They do provide awareness of their issues, but at what cost? How many people walk away from a "I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" ad thinking about saving bears from extinction? Trying to improve the environment or the rights of animals is a noble cause and deserves to be done in a noble way. I have always thought that campaigns such as these cheapen the cause and encourage mockery.

Environmental campaigns that use sexuality as a catalyst for change is like a comedian getting a laugh because of a fart joke. It works, but it’s a cheap laugh. Instead of focusing on sex, work on actually showing the impact this has on their lives and the lives of the animals. Will you get as many page views? Probably not, but you’ll at least keep your dignity.

Photo courtesy of Endangered Species Condoms