So how much of a do you actually give about the whole 'green' thing?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants' attitudes towards environmentalism and the concept of "going green." It explores personal motivations for adopting eco-friendly practices, the effectiveness of small actions, and the societal implications of environmental responsibility. The conversation includes a mix of opinions on whether such efforts are worthwhile or merely symbolic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the effectiveness of small actions like using energy-efficient light bulbs, suggesting that they do not significantly impact larger environmental issues.
  • Others argue that personal choices, even if small, contribute to a collective effort towards a healthier future, emphasizing individual responsibility.
  • A participant mentions that motivations for going green often stem from financial savings rather than environmental concerns.
  • Some express frustration with the notion that simple changes can solve complex problems, questioning the need for reminders about basic conservation practices.
  • There are contrasting views on the value of pledging to undertake green tasks, with some seeing it as a positive step towards awareness and others viewing it as unnecessary or patronizing.
  • Several comments reflect a generational divide in attitudes towards environmental responsibility, suggesting that younger generations may adopt green habits more naturally.
  • Humor is used by some participants to critique or satirize extreme views on environmentalism, highlighting perceived absurdities in the discourse.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; multiple competing views remain regarding the significance and practicality of individual actions in addressing environmental issues.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions reveal underlying assumptions about the effectiveness of green practices, the motivations behind them, and the societal implications of environmental responsibility, which remain unresolved.

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  • #32
We've done some engineering projects that start out wanting to go green, until they get the cost. We had one in particular that was an environmental center. They started out wanting to go green, with geothermal heat pumps and composting toilets. They got the costs and went with A/C units with electric resistance heat and flush toilets with a sewage ejector pump!

As for me, I always look for energy efficient methods. I came up with one experimental method on one project that saves the facility more than 20 tons of equivalent cooling energy every hour at peak load.
 
  • #33
Our household waste has dropped off dramatically since the dawn of recycling. Some weeks there's little point to putting out the garbage bin.

Now, the recycling bin on the other hand... We have two industrial-sized bins, and we still over-fill em...
 
  • #34
any final thoughts?
 
  • #35
questura said:
any final thoughts?
Why, is this thread going to self-destruct? :-p

My two-penneth...

I like to be green. I recycle, turn lights off, don't drive anymore but cycle...

On the other hand, I have made two flights to NA, one to Asia and a number of flights within Europe this year...

So, on the whole, my carbon footprint's not looking too good.

However, I'd never not go green if I had the choice.

I even wouldn't mind jacking in the whole technology thing and going to live on a self-sufficient farm [\hippy]
 
  • #36
questura said:
any final thoughts?

you first
 
  • #37
Global Warming is not Decided. Heck the guy who owns the Weather Channel even thinks it's not real and he's a meteorologist. We should be wanting to conserve or go green because of cost and efficiency. If we could just learn to be frugal and efficient they wouldn't be building McMansions or selling Hummers, or trying to sell us 3 Patty Hamburgers. We as a nation need to learn to be more frugal and responsible. We all want to leave it to next guy and we all just got to "keep up with the Jones". What you own is not who you are. We should have a show like"MTV Cribs" that focuses on people with efficient housing! To heck with CF lighting where are the LED's! they use way less energy than CF. Why don't they sell Anaerobic Digesters as the Homecenters so we can all start heating our water with methane. Why don't we have wind turbines or Solar Cells at the homecenters they have Big Screen Tvs there.
 
  • #38
rjbig2000 said:
Global Warming is not Decided. Heck the guy who owns the Weather Channel even thinks it's not real and he's a meteorologist..

It is the consensus opinion that global warming is real beyond any reasonable doubt. The confidence that it is caused to a significant degree by human activity is 90%. This, according to the international panel of experts who are tasked with making this determination - the IPCC.

Owning a TV channel is not a credential here.
 
  • #39
rjbig2000 said:
Global Warming

Please don't start that here. There are already several threads dealing with that subject.
 
  • #40
And the next time I hear someone called 'liberal' as a slander for being socially responsible, I think I may punch someone.