- #1
paw
- 169
- 0
On a recent reality show a young couple wanted to purchase a second home in the pacific northwest as a getaway. They claimed to be strong environmentalists and wanted a 'green' home. So what is wrong with this picture? I mean they can afford it so why not?
Well there's nothing wrong with buying a second home if that's what you want. But I don't see how you can claim to be an environmentalist just because it's a 'green' home. The fact is you don't 'need' a second home. You may 'want' one but you don't 'need' it. So it becomes an anti-environmental choice to consume that which you don't really need.
Now if they said 'We want a second home and we know we're consuming unsustainably but, since we're going to do it anyway, we might as well spend a little more and reduce our impact' then I'd give them kudos for honesty. But to claim to be an environmentalist? I don't think so.
How about the people who replace the old inefficient refridgerator with a new energy efficient one? Well it depends. If the new one is 10% more efficient and 40% larger I say you can't claim it's for energy reasons. You want a new fridge sure, and that's Ok. just don't tell me you're saving the planet.
How about granite counter tops, they're a natural product right? Sure, but the energy needed to cut and polish them would keep a third world family for a year. So I say don't claim it's for environmental reasons. Formica will make a smaller footprint.
Replacing servicable carpet with sustainable bamboo? Not environmentally friendly. It might be nice, sure, but it isn't saving the planet.
Renovating the house? Well adding a couple of thousand watts of solar power doesn't justify the renovation on environmental grounds. Just admit that it's for asthetic reasons and we have no quarrel.
I think as a society we've bought into the most effective marketing campaign ever. Consume like never before and justify it in the name of environmentalism.
Now don't get me wrong, I know the climate is changing and I believe we need to do something about it. But I can't see how we can consume our way out of climate change. It's like trying to spend your way out of debt.
Well there's nothing wrong with buying a second home if that's what you want. But I don't see how you can claim to be an environmentalist just because it's a 'green' home. The fact is you don't 'need' a second home. You may 'want' one but you don't 'need' it. So it becomes an anti-environmental choice to consume that which you don't really need.
Now if they said 'We want a second home and we know we're consuming unsustainably but, since we're going to do it anyway, we might as well spend a little more and reduce our impact' then I'd give them kudos for honesty. But to claim to be an environmentalist? I don't think so.
How about the people who replace the old inefficient refridgerator with a new energy efficient one? Well it depends. If the new one is 10% more efficient and 40% larger I say you can't claim it's for energy reasons. You want a new fridge sure, and that's Ok. just don't tell me you're saving the planet.
How about granite counter tops, they're a natural product right? Sure, but the energy needed to cut and polish them would keep a third world family for a year. So I say don't claim it's for environmental reasons. Formica will make a smaller footprint.
Replacing servicable carpet with sustainable bamboo? Not environmentally friendly. It might be nice, sure, but it isn't saving the planet.
Renovating the house? Well adding a couple of thousand watts of solar power doesn't justify the renovation on environmental grounds. Just admit that it's for asthetic reasons and we have no quarrel.
I think as a society we've bought into the most effective marketing campaign ever. Consume like never before and justify it in the name of environmentalism.
Now don't get me wrong, I know the climate is changing and I believe we need to do something about it. But I can't see how we can consume our way out of climate change. It's like trying to spend your way out of debt.