Project Green Prom is a contest for high school students to green their school proms this spring. It's the brainchild of Northern California-based Search for the Cause, a cancer research and advocacy group. The group's website, Teens Turning Green, hopes to educate teenagers about toxic cosmetics and other cancer risks, and about conscious consumption in general.

From the contest promotional page: "Launching March 1st, Project Green Prom, sponsored by Whole Foods Market, is a challenge to engage high school students across the country to “green” their high school proms (and their own prom preparation.) By making thoughtful decisions and informed purchases for prom season, we strive to engage teens in an all-encompassing eco-lifestyle. Teens Turning Green chose to focus on Prom as there are many changes that can be easily made to approach this traditional right of passage from a more sustainable perspective. Beginning with greener alternatives in hair, make up, skin and body care products and extending to include prom attire and accessories, décor,transportation, flowers …. our goal is to to inspire teens across the country to action that will sustain our health and that of our planet."

I would say this is a pretty good idea overall. The high school prom is many teenagers' first taste of a "formal" event, complete with ballgowns, tuxedos, and fancy transportation. While the prom is is conspicuous consumption at its finest, nobody in their right mind would try to stop highschoolers from having a prom in the first place. But reversing the ever-grander, evermore bling-filled trend that proms have taken over the past several years strikes me as an excellent idea. And teaching teens that just because a favorite store sells a product, it doesn't mean it's necessarily safe or good for them, is also a very good idea.

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