Letters from Our Readers: Winter 2009

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Thanks for this article! I'm starting the same course that Russell signed up for from the Northwest Earth Institute and I'm really looking forward to it.

posted online by Jessica

Fantasyland

I'm writing to let you know that I loved Elizabeth Royte's article on Disney World ("Disney's Waste Land," Fall 2008). We must protect the integrity of the term green, even if it means calling out sponsors at the happiest place on earth. If people are misinformed, as they are by the Waste Management exhibit, then we will not have the trust -- or, more important, the unified will -- required to address our planet's dire situation. The worst thing would be for the public to feel hoodwinked by the movement itself.

Andrea Beaver
Overland Park, Kansas

I joined a large number of my fellow Britons on a visit to Disney World with my family two years ago. I was thoroughly disappointed by the whole Disney machine, which appeared to be entirely dedicated to persuading visitors to spend money on trash and trivia at every ride's end. The eco-theme promoted in the animal park was greenwash. It was apparent that recycling, reducing consumption, and green issues were outside the Disney management brief. However, since Disney has done such a fantastic job of promoting its wholesome family values, any criticism of failures in these and other areas is seen as an act of treason. The best bit of my stay in Disney was the sighting of an armadillo waddling through the woods near our cabin!  

posted online by Steve Ravenscroft