What do you do to be green?

[chinahopes]

For me, the thing about "going green" is that sooo many people broadcast it to the world as a means of making more money. Al Gore is a perfect example. He couldn't even bare to turn his lights off during "Earth Hour." Give me a break.

Look at all the companies that make obscene profits because they sell "green" products. The mentality of Dave Matthews is a perfect example.

That is a turn-off to me. Does Target REALLY care that they sell re-usable bags? No, they care that they make a dollar off of each one... the list could go on and on and on.

"Being Green" is a corporate money-making tool, and their followers are pathetic and naive. JMHO, of course.

[surferchick2]

Wow. Nasty. Corporate America jumps on the bandwagon and uses tools all the time. Whether it be going green, pink ribbons, diabetes bracelets, specialty plates, etc. Doesn't mean there isn't a problem. It's one thing to not take measures in preserving our natural resources because you don't believe a problem exists, fine... but to call members here naive and pathetic who do play a part in going green (I'm guessing that's who the followers are?), basically calling them idiots is uncalled for. Just because their opinion is different from yours and have decided to take action or purchase Eco products shouldn't be subject to personal attacks. JMO also. The OP on here and the other thread asked a simple question to those who do, then it had to turn borderline political.

[amanda]

Originally Posted by chinahopes

For me, the thing about "going green" is that sooo many people broadcast it to the world as a means of making more money. Al Gore is a perfect example. He couldn't even bare to turn his lights off during "Earth Hour." Give me a break. Look at all the companies that make obscene profits because they sell "green" products. The mentality of Dave Matthews is a perfect example. That is a turn-off to me. Does Target REALLY care that they sell re-usable bags? No, they care that they make a dollar off of each one... the list could go on and on and on. "Being Green" is a corporate money-making tool, and their followers are pathetic and naive. JMHO, of course.

Saying "JMHO, of course," doesn't make what you're saying any less sneering, nasty or condescending.

JMHO, of course.

[kiddyjunction09]

hey dude,

i try to reduce the use of my motor bike. and try to avoid the cutting of trees.

[yeliab]

Let's see...

I recycle like mad!! even composting!! I can get away with just only 3 grocery bags worth of garbage a week and have 60 gallon bags of recycling and yard waste every other week. I look through the garbage to see if there's anything that can be washed out and recycled.

I use energy efficient bulbs in most of my lights in the house.

I turn the thermostat to 65 deg in the winter and 74 in the summer

I recycle printer paper/printer ink cartridges

Turn off all the lights that are unused

I unplug all appliances and AC cords that are not being used

I run really full laundry loads

I try to Only buy Used books

Buy DVDs used from blockbuster or download from internet

I try to order magazine subscriptions that's viewable on computer instead of paper
(will be getting a colored kindle to view subscriptions on for Christmas)

Whatever magazines on paper I've already read - I donate to clinics and hospitals (I place them in waiting rooms, etc)

Donate all my old cell phones/electronics to military and women shelters

Donate my clothes to women shelters

I'm a vegetarian

Use energy efficient appliances/plumbing/housing resources

Hmmm, there might be things that I've forgotten... I'll post when I remember

[RosieJetson]

The only thing I do differently is recycle newspapers and if I drink canned pop like once a year, I put the can outside for someone else to pick up!

Other than that, I do what I've always done - turn out lights, run full loads of laundry, use pringle cans for celery, re-use my disposible coffee cup about four more times and the fifth time, I place boiled eggs to keep warm. Oh, I spose using cloth diapers is go green too, but I just did it because it's wrong to wrap up your child's feces like a gift then deposit in some landfill where it'll never decompose because there's no oxygen... Definitely using the plumbing is go green. I don't consider any of this going green, just being practical, though.

[La Comtesse]

Originally Posted by chinahopes

For me, the thing about "going green" is that sooo many people broadcast it to the world as a means of making more money. Al Gore is a perfect example. He couldn't even bare to turn his lights off during "Earth Hour." Give me a break. Look at all the companies that make obscene profits because they sell "green" products. The mentality of Dave Matthews is a perfect example. That is a turn-off to me. Does Target REALLY care that they sell re-usable bags? No, they care that they make a dollar off of each one... the list could go on and on and on. "Being Green" is a corporate money-making tool, and their followers are pathetic and naive. JMHO, of course.

I agree with you somewhat in that I don't believe all of the green movement is truthful or accurate. I believe a lot of it is politically driven, and people on one side don't see that "their" side can be untruthful or have hidden agendas too. However, I do see that man sometimes trashes the environment. I love nature and hate to see overbuilding and pollution ruin things for native animals and plants. Also, I hate to see waste of any kind. So, I carry my own bags to the grocery store (almost no one in my area does). I recycle everthing that I can (but I wonder if recycling is the way to go since it can cause more pollution). I also am very careful not to leave water running and I try to conserve it (and energy) when I can. I think there are simple changes we can all make, without much effort, to eliminate waste of energy and natural resources. However, I think if we look into a lot of things suggested by the green movement we will find that they are more harmful to the environment than what was originally suggested. And I am not 100% convinced that "global warming" is caused by mankind, it could be a natural cycle of the earth. Millions of years ago there were major changes going on in the environment, and there were no cars, etc. I don't think that anyone can say with 100% certainty that this is the cause. And if Al Gore can say that, why wasn't he saying it when he was Vice President? That being said, we cannot deny the obvious and unnecessary pollution around us.

[La Comtesse]

Yeliab--looks like you are doing everything you can. You have a lot of great suggestions for the rest of us in your list.

[RosieJetson]

Well, he was VP and that would've been political suicide since he was representing his party. Alot of people once they step out the political arena are less tethered to special interests which allows them to focus on causes near and dear to their heart.

[surferchick2]

Recycling, emissions standards, Biofuels and conservation existed long before the global warming phenomena. No one can claim 100 percent on either side. I'm not even sure why that was brought up since it's only one controversial aspect in conserving our resources and energy both nationally and internationally.

[aklein]

Originally Posted by bagaholic85

i bring my own grocery bags to the store, walk anywhere i can, bought those vampire plugs (saves on energy and $$...same goes with energy efficient appliances), turn the lights off, save water where ever i can, use reusable coffee & water bottles daily, recycle everything, and buy biodegradable things whenever possible (i.e. doggie doo doo bags, home cleansers, etc).

What are vampire plugs? I googled and didn't really find an answer.

[bagaholic85]

Originally Posted by aklein

What are vampire plugs? I googled and didn't really find an answer.

well vampire energy vampires are electronics that consume electricity (about 40%!!) even when the appliances are turned off. the only ways you can save this energy is to cut the power supply to it. i called it a vampire plug for lack of a better word, but its really more a smart power strip.

the ones we have are from smart home usa (http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByMa...r/tricklestar/). they seriously pay for themselves pretty quick, and help conserve energy. the output of burning of coal for electricity is one of the worst pollutants in the world, and thats where americans get most of their electricity from.

[aklein]

Oh awesome, thanks!

[bagaholic85]

welcome

[surferchick2]

Originally Posted by bagaholic85

well vampire energy vampires are electronics that consume electricity (about 40%!!) even when the appliances are turned off. the only ways you can save this energy is to cut the power supply to it. i called it a vampire plug for lack of a better word, but its really more a smart power strip. the ones we have are from smart home usa (http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByMa...r/tricklestar/). they seriously pay for themselves pretty quick, and help conserve energy. the output of burning of coal for electricity is one of the worst pollutants in the world, and thats where americans get most of their electricity from.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that about some appliances. I just watched a segment about coal ash from electricty which contains arsenic, mercury, lead to name a few... Something like 130 million tons a year. After one landfill gave way, all that toxic material flooded this town and the lake, so the majority had to leave. Poor people and animals.