The Green Lantern - Sound Environmental Advice

[Agathocles]

Any of you read this?

http://www.slate.com/id/2174662/year/2008/landing/1/

A great site for environmental information, factually supported data on the exact pros and cons of being more environmental. Let's me know what I'm really doing rather than just thinking that I'm "helping out".

[Agathocles]

Off-Shore Drilling: http://www.slate.com/id/2197283/

[Chris]

I'm getting 'green fatigue'. I know it's an important movement and all, but I've grown tired hearing about it. I can't go two feet in the local Whole Foods without being reminded of the dire circumstances we're in. It’s even more annoying now that It's much more than a movement to save the earth, it's now America's #1 marketing opportunity!

We have friends who use environmentally friendly shampoo, soap, phosphorus-free dishwashing detergent, deodorant, etc but just leased a Toyota Sequoia and BMW X5. That’s pretty funny.

[KNUCKLEBUSTER]

This is pretty good stuff, thanks for posting that link. I've often remained critical of all this "going green" business...There's a shitload of money to be made here, is that what it's really about? Scaring the public into spending money on hybrid cars and fancy light bulbs, thinking they're doing their part, even if it's based on junk science? ~ That's my mindset at least, maybe I'll learn something here.

On the topic of offshore drilling, I think it's really a drop in the bucket, the real issue as far as the US is concerned, IMO, is to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Keep the oil we make off the world market. Drilling in ANWR and exploring the possibility of shale oil in the Rockies included. That shit should've happened 10 years ago, and maybe we wouldn't have the high prices we have now..Maybe? It's one thing to say "Hey, walk to work, ride a bike, get a scooter, carpool, buy a hybrid, etc..." People living in LA should think about that, but that shit isn't practical for people living in rural areas. They have to drive to get anywhere. Most working class folks can't afford to buy a hybrid, or other fuel efficient car. A Hybrid ain't worth a fuck on the farm either. I don't know about you, but my tires are inflated to the proper pressure and I might save a whopping dollar a month as a result. Yay. My point is, our economy and culture revolve around oil. There needs to be a practical, realistic short term solution, as well as a long term solution. It's past time we weened ourselves off of it, but it isn't gonna happen overnight.

[ilari]

Here's a somewhat lengthy article about peak oil: http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

The end is nigh!

[Wolfbizarre]

Hormone fed and genetic manipulated lab meat? No Thanks, i trust the old greasy natural bacon that nicely sizzles on my pan. Most products you buy from the grocery store are light only, less fat, but more toxins included. Alot on that site is downright ridiculous, like most of these nowaday laws, seems the scientists can't decide if the climate is getting warmer or cooler, or that it's the end of the world allready. But don't misunderstand me, i care for the enviroment also, the rainforests should be left alone and some alternative energy sources would make relief, things should be kept natural and full of nutrition as they been since our cave forefathers walked the earth.

[Chris]

I don't think it's junk science, but I do think there is a lot of money to be made off of "going green". It's a marketer's dream come true. It's only 'junk science' if you happen to be a scientist on the Big Oil payroll.

Big Oil and the US government have been jerking each other for most of their respective histories. If there were truly a 'free market', we'd all have been driving affordable cars that make H2O as exhaust ten years ago. We're dependent on oil because there is a lot of money to be made from being dependent on oil, especially for those in power.

Money and power. That's what it all comes down to.


This is pretty good stuff, thanks for posting that link. I've often remained critical of all this "going green" business...There's a shitload of money to be made here, is that what it's really about? Scaring the public into spending money on hybrid cars and fancy light bulbs, thinking they're doing their part, even if it's based on junk science? ~ That's my mindset at least, maybe I'll learn something here.

On the topic of offshore drilling, I think it's really a drop in the bucket, the real issue as far as the US is concerned, IMO, is to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Keep the oil we make off the world market. Drilling in ANWR and exploring the possibility of shale oil in the Rockies included. That shit should've happened 10 years ago, and maybe we wouldn't have the high prices we have now..Maybe? It's one thing to say "Hey, walk to work, ride a bike, get a scooter, carpool, buy a hybrid, etc..." People living in LA should think about that, but that shit isn't practical for people living in rural areas. They have to drive to get anywhere. Most working class folks can't afford to buy a hybrid, or other fuel efficient car. A Hybrid ain't worth a fuck on the farm either. I don't know about you, but my tires are inflated to the proper pressure and I might save a whopping dollar a month as a result. Yay. My point is, our economy and culture revolve around oil. There needs to be a practical, realistic short term solution, as well as a long term solution. It's past time we weened ourselves off of it, but it isn't gonna happen overnight.

[Agathocles]

Here's a somewhat lengthy article about peak oil: http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

The end is nigh!

an end, I hope. But truly, we can all be very logical about it: If we intend on being infinite, we can not depend on the finite.

[Agathocles]

I don't think it's junk science, but I do think there is a lot of money to be made off of "going green". It's a marketer's dream come true. It's only 'junk science' if you happen to be a scientist on the Big Oil payroll.

Big Oil and the US government have been jerking each other for most of their respective histories. If there were truly a 'free market', we'd all have been driving affordable cars that make H2O as exhaust ten years ago. We're dependent on oil because there is a lot of money to be made from being dependent on oil, especially for those in power.

Money and power. That's what it all comes down to.

You both are very right with regard to it being a complete marketing opportunity.

I think the biggest thing I have learned/am learning is that the best way to help out is to not be such a consumer, with regards to buying goods and using goods. I've been getting rid of so much shit in my place, stupid toys/trinkets that I wasted money on as a youth, and the wastefulness of all that, just for a bit of amusement. Much better if I just enjoy natural things and commit that money to things that are really important in my eyes.

And beyond that, anything I do buy and use, to dispose of in an optimal way.

Anyway, I hope you don't get too much green fatigue. I know that for charities and "tragedies" and such, I get very fatigued myself, and it's better for me to focus on maybe just a couple of things, and lately I have been focusing on shark conservation. Haven't contributed anything financially yet as I've just began being turned on to it but I will be taking part in it as my main thing, and not just financially, I prefer to have the opportunity to physically do some things as well.

All the Save Darfur, ASPCA, Hurricane Relief, Earthquake relief, etc etc, it spreads a lot of people thin IMO. Plus, saving fish like sharks is much more vital to the well being of our planet, as well as things like rain forest conservation, then "cruelty to in no danger of extinction domestic animals" societies or saving human lives when in fact, overpopulation is a greater threat to man than dying people. Not saying I'm for any of it, but I think protecting our planet is better. Same thing for the green movement. A lot of it is a detour, and the green movement, what is maybe not inherently a consumer based movement, it has become one in many ways. It is important for it to be profitable. I think that is what is saving it, making it stronger, is that big businesses, including oil companies, will go on board with it because they'll be able to make money on it, however, I don't think any of those folks are in any rush to give up oil.