It takes as little as understanding there’s a different way to do things, Carter says.

Question: Is green inherently anti-luxury?

Majora Carter: No. I hardly think so.

Being green is a conscious lifestyle. It really is recognizing that there’s something outside of the little bubble that you live in, and that everything you do has a consequence. And does it involve you recognizing that you can do better? And that you can be supportive of another person’s, or another part of society’s welfare by the purchases you make or what you decide not to make? Oh yes. Those things are important.

Yes, I do believe that there are going to be some sacrifices involved. Again, the age of abundant oil and coal, they are coming to an end. But the Stone Age didn’t end just because they ran out of stones. People recognized there were different ways that we want to do things. So again, living consciously is a really important task that we’re going to have to take. But no. You can totally do it in style. I think I’m very stylish and I live as green as I possibly can.

Recorded on: April 28, 2008