On a visit to the Science Museum in London, there was an interesting bit about the Spitfire:
In July 1940, Lord Beaverbrook warned of a new threat. The aircraft industry was running out of aluminum to build Spitfires. A national campaign was launched, with Lady Reading, head of the Women's Voluntary Service, telling radio listeners to "give up your frying pan for a Spitfire". Within two months, 1000 tons of scrap metal had been collected. Although much of it was allegedly never used for aircraft, the campaign rallied public support and helped civilians feel a part of the war effort.
There are definite parallels with certian elements of the "green" movement -- campaigns and products that do more to help bring larger issues into the public conscious that they do to actually offset the impact of more traditional choices.
In July 1940, Lord Beaverbrook warned of a new threat. The aircraft industry was running out of aluminum to build Spitfires. A national campaign was launched, with Lady Reading, head of the Women's Voluntary Service, telling radio listeners to "give up your frying pan for a Spitfire". Within two months, 1000 tons of scrap metal had been collected. Although much of it was allegedly never used for aircraft, the campaign rallied public support and helped civilians feel a part of the war effort.
There are definite parallels with certian elements of the "green" movement -- campaigns and products that do more to help bring larger issues into the public conscious that they do to actually offset the impact of more traditional choices.