Possible Clues:

• More gullible, but at the same time more colourful
• It supplies meagre energy, better for the environment
• Novelist initially rather more environment-conscious
• The grass is always thus on the other side of the hill
• More colourful environmentalist
• Some agree nervously to be more environmentally conscious
• Like a next-door neighbor's lawn, or so it seems
• Less experienced novelist: right
• Having less experience
• Less ripened or more eco-friendly