Is It Time to Go Green?

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The colour green is generally associated with nature today. To go green is to take environment-friendly measures; any move or movement that's called green is likely to be concerned with the protection of our surroundings.

green policies - policies favouring environmental conservation 

going green - taking measures to protect nature

It's used, by association, to convey other ideas too:

If you get the green light - or if someone gives you the green light - to do something, you get permission from that person to do it.

If someone has green fingers [BrE] or a greeen thumb [AmE], that person has the talent of growing plants successfully.

On the other hand, someone may be called green to mean that he or she lacks maturity or experience.

I don't think he can handle that job right now; he's still very green.

As if that weren't enough, it can also indicate the pale, unhealthy appearance of someone who's perhaps about to vomit.

The child was green after the long bus ride.

And the colour is invoked to signify the ugly feeling of envy too.

She was green with envy.

The feeling of envy itself is sometimes referred to as the green-eyed monster.

Going green doesn't seem to be that simple after all.

(Image credit: Kevin.Jack)