Kermit the Frog is probably the most intelligent puppet I know of. However, he was a little off with his token phrase, “It’s not easy being green.” In fact, it’s become incredibly easy to be “green,” or at least fake it.

The environment has been a big issue for a very long time. The classic polar bear on a melting icecap picture has been circulating for years. The world, especially the United States, needs to reduce its eco-footprint.

However, when most people saw that sad little polar bear, drifting away on a broken piece of ice, they probably thought, “Oh that’s so sad,” and then went to take a 20-minute shower and drive their Hummer to the mall.

Becoming more eco-friendly can include many simple things like riding public transportation, buying locally grown produce and unplugging electronics when they are not in use. It’s also become an excuse for big corporations to sell you more stuff.

Starbucks and Tully’s have jumped on the green bandwagon. The coffee shops are always competing for caffeine-crazed consumers. Starbucks used to come out on top, until Tully’s released its new, green image. They put special compost and recycle bags throughout their shops. Tully’s is helping save the planet, right? Wrong. They put all the compost and recycling in the same big dumpster in the back alley.

I’ve noticed that many of my monthly teenybopper magazines are now plastering their covers with going-green slogans. The April issue of Seventeen says there are “Tons of fun ways to protect the planet,” right on its cover. It tells me to turn to a page with a fashion spread. Apparently, buying tons of new clothes that are “organic” and “made of bamboo cotton” is going to make me “eco chic.” Wow, supa cute!

What I’m curious about is how purchasing more and more and more clothes and beauty products are going to help save the planet. Sure, organic cotton clothing is better for the environment, but isn’t a better solution just not buying new clothes that often?

One of the fake environmentally conscious practices that bothers me most is when girls carry around cotton tote bags proclaiming how green they are. Seventeen has one in their magazine with the statement, “So Fresh and So Green.” It’s catchy and stylish!

I should give Seventeen credit for the tips readers have submitted on how to be environmentally aware. All of the tips are perfect little ways to improve your eco-footprint. From using washcloths instead of paper towels to encouraging parents to pay their bills online, the suggestions are extremely helpful.

Oh, but the problem is they’re written in very small print at the bottom of a few pages in the special “green section” of the magazine. I barely noticed them. Really, if I hadn’t intentionally been searching for the environmental part of the issue, I would have completely passed them by. What is this!

I remember in elementary school, on Earth day we had this little garden and planted flowers as a class. Throughout the school day, we’d discuss our planet and talk about things to do on Earth Day. But it looks like little girls will be taking an even better action this Earth Day.

Toys’R’Us now sells Barbie accessories called BCause. They’re made from extra fabric and other materials that would normally be thrown away. They have diaries and my personal favorite — tote bags, for young girls who obviously really care about making a difference. Instead of planting a tree, it’s probably a better idea to buy a new Barbie and tons of BCause accessories to do Earth day in style!

It seems that being green is no longer about caring for the environment and actually wanting to do your part to help. It’s all about being cute and fashionable and throwing your reusable, organic tote bag into your gas-guzzling SUV and driving off to buy a “Green is the New Black” shirt.