GREEN, (before it was called that) has been a way of life for a just a few before it became rich in celebrity praise, before it was fashionable, trendy, cool, and stylish, before the Prius, before colorful reusable shopping bags, before Ecolodges and before Al Gore and other environmentalist and scientists broatcasted the alarming news of climate change and global warming to the masses.
The public at large is now becoming more and more aware of the planet in peril, what’s happening to the ice caps, the warming of the Earth, bizarre weather patterns and so on. But despite our knowledge of whats going on and the changes we need to make in our individual lives and changes in public policy, is it too late?
The hole in the ozone layer was discovered in 1985 but the ban of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) that was used in our everyday products helped start the recovery process. Can we undo the massive damage that we caused now?
President Obama, not only has a full plate coming into office, but the whole table is consumed in all of the mistakes (to put it lightly) made in the past eight years and beyond. With everything that’s going on in our world today, is it possible to meet all of these challenges and save the planet?
Do you feel that the ship has sailed for us?
Do you think the “green trend” is beneficial or just a distraction from the larger issue?
Ooh interesting, am so glad you brought this up. Kind of like the way that eating real food is becoming “trendy”… I’m conflicted because in part its great that these things are getting more attention, but at the same time, it might not be taken seriously enough and could potentially just distract.
But I have faith- we can try to make changes and help the world to heal bit by bit.
@Sagan – Eating real food is a great trend if done correctly. Better than the unhealthy and wasteful alternative. There has to be a way to have balance so that these things wont be a distraction.
I often fear that it is too late but try to hope that it isn’t. One of the items, Obama has already cut the budget for is mass transit, especially rail. This was done to help pay for tax cuts. It seems that people are addicted to tax cuts and breaks at the expense of everything. Personally, I feel this is very short-sighted and selfish. People say they are “green” but when it comes down to it will usually select the option that benefits them most.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/oberstar-mass-transit-got-the-shaft-to-make-room-for-tax-cuts.php
I’m not sure if it’s too late or not. If I try to think about the big picture, I get discouraged. For me, it’s about making the right choices *in my life,* which is really all I can control. It’s actually been a great lesson for managing other areas of my life–taking things one thing at a time, one day at a time, in small increments, and not being distracted or overwhelmed.
I don’t think it’s too late to do the right thing — I’m just not sure that some of what we are doing IS the right thing.
I grew up with the scientists telling us that the world could not support the population growth — that there would be mass starvation in the coming years. Never happened.
After that came the global cooling scare with the scientists telling us that a new ice age was coming. Hasn’t happened, yet.
Long global warming may be real. I’m not convinced yet — and I’m doing a LOT of reading on the subject trying to understand. Some indicators say that the earth has started cooling again, has been for several years, and that the long term trend for the next 30 years is down, not up. If that’s the case, some of the actions the world is taken may be ineffective at best. Others may actually be the wrong actions.
Science is great, science is important, but sometimes the scientists get it wrong. One thing you can count on, though. The climate is going to change.
Hi Carla. I don’t think it’s too late and I have to agree with Mike. I think we have the right intentions for sure, and I’m doing as much as I am able without become obsessed with it. I too question how much of this has become a trend. I feel a bit discouraged with this whole thing because there is so much in the news about it and a lot of contradictions and studies. I just don’t know what to think anymore.
Hi Carla,
Never give up hope, that’s my belief. So, I think we can continue to make positive impacts for our planet. What’s real and genuine, and what’s just for looks? I see that as the real conundrum.
Individually, if everyone made one small step toward being “greener” – just think of the potential that could have! It doesn’t take much, if done by many, to really make a difference.
I don’t think it’s too late. Plus, I totally agree with Lance. If everyone just did a few small things to improve their “greenness,” we would be becoming a much cleaner planet in no time.
Each small step makes a big difference.
I wouldn’t have thought of the word “distraction” on my own, but I wonder if you’re right. Is the trendiness of green encouraging folks to say, “I used cloth bags, so today, I’ve done my part”?
I’ll never say it’s too late, and I like Kerry’s approach: control what we can within our own lives.
@Kerry – “making things one thing at a time, one day at a time, in small increments, and not being distracted or overwhelmed.” I think that is a really good point. Sometimes, its too easy to get overwhelmed and give up.
@Mike – You’re right, science doesnt always know for sure or have the right answers. I think we should do what we can, until there is convening evidence to the contrary which I haven’t seen yet.
@Davina – Conflicting arguments can be very confusing and discouraging.
@Lance & @Lisa Newton – This past election is a good example of what you just mentioned.
@Sara – I like Kerry’s approach to this too!
I agree with Mike. I’m going to invest my time making changes that are both good for me and for the environment. Local organic food, meat, dairy etc. Non-toxic cleaners, shampoos, etc. Save water, grow my own food, not drive if I don’t have to, etc. etc. etc.
I’m not convinced enough to buy solar panels or an electric car or make those big changes. I think we may being duped by these products from what I’ve read about production energy and the toxicity of disposal. I’m not convinced the energy savings are worth the expenditures in my book yet.
It’s hard in a society like ours to discern what’s really environmentally friendly and what’s a bunch of smoke being blown to encourage us to consume green products. When you start looking into what’s behind government policy and stuff you start to realize that big business really controls things. So I’m a little leery of them encouraging me to buy “green” stuff.
Mike hit the nail on the head!
Over the past years, there have been so many misinformed individuals promoting ideas which have come from over-zealous scientists just trying to make a name for themselves.
How does a scientist really ‘make it’? He has to come up with something new. People being people, they will come up with things even if the idea is only a fragment truth.
Personally, I think climate change has more to do with the sun than with pollution. Although I’m all in favour of cutting down wastage.
No, I don’t think that it’s too late.
The world continues to change as humanity makes its impact on it. That’s a given.
I believe that no matter what, humans will see the error of its ways and take action.
Then again, I guess it depends on your definition of “too late”
I think we focus so much on saving the planet, but it’s really about saving ourselves and future generations. The planet will re-generate. It will take thousands of years, but it has survived plenty. Do we want a future for humanity?
It’s going to be a tough go. Population is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. More and more will require resources including fossil fuels, but it’s possible to improve our current state. The atom has been split. A man has walked on the moon. Oprah recommended a book that didn’t sell. Okay, not the last one, but…
I am trying to be optimistic and look at the glass as half full. I am optimistic!
I don’t necessarily believe in trends… but rather mass shifts in the way people think, or are programed to think. How one chooses to live can definitely impact things on a more massive scale, but it always starts with impacting the individual first. If someone chooses to eat well and become a little more aware of things like recycling, or fuel efficiency, as long as it is benefiting them and making them feel better – good. Mission accomplished. Whether it is going to last or not, who knows, who cares. But if individually we recognize the benefits of shifting the way we think, then it is inevitable that this way of thinking will sustain itself on a larger level.