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GASP

As far as I'm concerned, it's only "green" if the animal dies a natural death and then is skinned for its fur.

"Renewable"?

It's one thing to use cowhide, which is a byproduct of the meat industry. If I'm willing to eat meat, I am willing to use the rest of the animal. (Although I don't know enough about the ecological processing costs...)

But fur bearing animals are pretty much only killed FOR their fur. So I can live without it, and the little critters (and they are mostly small) can keep it.

I'm always amused how people hem and haw about their abhorrence for fur and anything fur related while wearing leather shoes and sitting on their leather sofas. The key is responsible, humane harvesting of skins.

No, there's a BIG difference between wearing leather shoes and putting on your fur coat-- many (most?) of the animal species whose fur is so "renewable" are endangered as a result of the fur trade. The fact is, in a perfect world practices of humane harvesting would abound, but we don't live in one. Illegal poaching is only encouraged and supported by people who don't see the effects of buying fur products and choose to do so. If you NEED to have a fur coat, there are plenty of used ones out there that will be less expensive and the money does not go back to the fur vendors. Better yet, just buy faux-- the technology involved in the manufacture of faux fur has improved so much, it's hard to tell the difference in many cases.

Nope, I'm not a crunchy, vegetarian, hippie type either. But the fur trade is so many steps beyond eating a burger for dinner, people.

This is a load of crap. They're just trying to appeal to the latest trends and buzzwords because the EU just voted to sanction fur. I'm Canadian and I think fur is disgusting... we're not all seal hunters.

I too am Canadian, I agree with petethecat that fur is disgusting. Too dak237... as a vegetarian I can tell you that we not all "crunchy hippies".

Desperation frequently creates odd claims by PR people... lol.

'Renewable', indeed. By that logic there should be no problem using humans.

HUGE difference between wearing leather shoes vs. fur coats. If you're an Inuit in the arctic that's wearing the pelt of an animal you've killed to eat, go for it. Marketing fur as green so SO way off the charts. "how our lifestyles affect nature"...what drugs were being taken when they came up with this copy? Course, wouldn't be surprised if these are the same folks who claim the clubbing of baby seals is a great family/community bonding experience.

And what's with the fur advert under this post?

Sorry, but I had to register just to comment on this. If you are upset about the idea of fur being promoted as eco-friendly, you should be upset about the idea of using leather as well. The majority of leather is the result of the factory farming of beef which is, quite simply, horrible for the environment.
The meat industry is one of the most polluting in the world, releasing more greenhouse gases than all of the transportation (cars, trucks, planes, and ships) in the world combined (Steinfeld, Gerber, Wassenaar, Castel, Rosales, and de Haan 2007). A person with the mean American diet produces 702 kg more CO2 per year than a vegan, and it is estimated that 6.2% of the United States’ CO2 production is the result of its citizens’ meat-based diets (Eshel and Martin 2006). The effect of going vegetarian on one’s carbon footprint is similar to the effect of switching from driving a Chevrolet Suburban to a Toyota Camry (ibid).
Sorry to get all nerdly on you, but this is one of my pet causes. And for the record I am not a full vegan, nor am I saying that you need to be. I just think it is important to people to have facts...

Oh gosh, I should apologize-- I meant it lovingly! While I don't personally have the urge nor the stamina to become a vegetarian (or-- gasp-- a vegan... i've tried) most of my closest friends are, so I end up eating that way most of the time anyway. Keep rockin' those veggies!

And, while we're feeling the need to proclaim it, I TOO AM CANADIAN. And I just made it through a Saskatchewan winter without fur. If that's possible, I know nobody needs a fur coat.

Another ashamed Canadian here.

But let's all remember one thing: the Fur Council is about MAKING MONEY BY SELLING STUFF, so is it really a surprise they'd spin fur this way?

Oh this is a controversial one. Personally I have no issue with fur, but I think it way over priced and I don't care for the look. I do love leather though.

Oh boy - also being wary of the delicateness of this issue, hope I don't step on anyone's toes with my two cents here! :-)

I grew up in the woods on small farm and worked on organic farms until I was 18. I've spent a lot of time with animals and feel that I have a pretty good understanding and closeness to them. I'd say I've seen all the ins and outs - from helping with births and bottle-feeding to assisting on "Turkey Day" - you know, the day for farmers that comes a few days before you buy your Thanksgiving Turkey...?

That being said, I don't have a problem with fur, leather, eating meat, etc. I don't want to hear about the critters being abused or baby seals being clubbed- the method is everything - but the concept on its own is fine with me. The price seems justifiably high as well - if you're going to buy products like that, they shouldn't be just a throwaway item. It IS an investment both of life and craftsmanship which should be respected.

I understand and respect how the idea could be upsetting to some people, though. But what I am a little confused about is how fur could bother someone but not leather? It seems like it should be all-or-nothing if you feel that way. Leather is technically mummified skin if you want to get really nitty-gritty, so if you find fur repulsive why isn't leather? Is it because minks are cuter (and less smelly) than cows...? Maybe if we all ate mink burgers regularly instead of hamburgers (eww) their deaths wouldn't seem out of the ordinary...?

Not trying to offend anyone there, but that is just something I've never personally understood and am curious about. I'd be interested in hearing what people have to say.

The separation comes for most in the fact that leather is a by product of the food industry, not the only goal.

Not being a vegetarian, my problem is more with the fur industry's rather lame ad campaign. Those who agree with it, will buy fur. Calling it 'green' is rather pathetic.

B*S!!

Umm, I am no green vegan militant, but that "green fur" position doesn't really pass the smell test. Any animal "farmed" to harvest only one part while the rest is tossed away doesn't seem very green to me. When I can buy mink chops at my local grocery store, I will rethink the position of the Fur Council of Canada.

Nice try, fur industry. Thanks for playing.

Add me to the list of ashamed Canadians. It's being mentioned that it is ridiculous for someone to be disgusted at the fur industry but still wear leather or eat meat. I think there's a difference here. Wearing fur is being touted as the environmentally friendly choice. While I don't agree with eating meat or supporting the cattle industry either, at least they aren't trying to portray themselves as 'green'.

Also - for the Canadian peeps - if you're disgusted by this campaign, you're probably also against Canada attempting to appeal the EU decission to ban seal products. Write a letter to the Gov.General's office. They are required to read each piece of mail recieved, maybe the voices of enough disgusted citizens will make a difference.

I vote for medium green.

Seal skin is used for those ridiculous handbags (sporrans) Scotsmen wear in front of their kilts. Do all the non Scots who choose to wear kilts to be married in know this?

I think the problem is the way the seals are killed, not in a humane way.

I have no problem with leather goods, or fur. It's mostly too pricy for me, so that's a problem, as I'd love to have a leather couch.

I don't know if fur is "green" or not. All that "green" stuff is just so much more marketing/advertising industry baloney, if you ask me. I use a Trader Joe's shopping bag. That's as far as I go.

The processing of fur requires an array of chemicals from soaking and degreasing agents, to enzymes, oils and greases, bleaches, dyes, reinforcing agents, toners, tanning and finishing chemicals.

That aint' green.

I work in advertising and I can say, without question, that that's the biggest load of marketing BS I've ever heard.

Remember when KFC was trying to claim that its fried chicken was healthy?

Yeah... Same thing.

The "I don't mind killing animals as long as it's humanely done" arguments just slay me. Since when is killing (i.e. ending a life, murdering, being made to die against your will) a "humane" thing to do?

I think when I finally crack and become a serial killer, I'm going to use that argument as my defense. "Its okay your honor, I killed all those people in the most humane way possible! They didn't suffer at all!"

Good grief suziegoombs, move to a tiny island by yourself and spend your days rocking back and forth, just make sure you don't step on any bugs.

I eat and wear animals...

What on earth does being a vegan have to do with the fur industry.

The self-righteous attitude of some people commenting here is ridiculous.

The devastation of huge forests in order to plant soy for all the vegans in the US is as much a crime as you are purporting the fur industry to be. Look in your back yard before you come out slinging.

Amen peachpie, you tell em! [looks over shoulder for flying tofu]

One potentially "green" fur: using fur from a possum in New Zealand. The critters came over from Australia, but in New Zealand they have no natural predators and have therefore devastated the local bird populations. For more info, read

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120718322940285111.html

and

http://www.ecowool.com/about_eco_fur.php

So the fur is still from a living creature, but one that is harming the local environment. Does that make people feel OK with using it?

Green and nice are two different things.

For example, as an Aussie, eating kangaroo is one of the best things I can do for the environment. Roos are overpoulated, putting a strain on resources. They also have soft feet, so don't ruin to ground like hard hooved animals do (we've got really thin topsoil here). They taste pretty good too! But don't tell a yank that you eat skippy - they flip!

Other things, like Fair Trade and feeding orphans etc are often mutually exclusive from being Green. The world is complicated.