Pick your green battles

comments from our community

• 
  Posted by Nicole K Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:26pm PDT

  Lori, this is superb. Now, of course I'm jealous, because I'm an environmental writer/brainstormer with an activist resume who should have trademarked "Conscious Consumption" a decade ago when i was dwelling on it, but hey, I'm really only telling you that so that you can consider the source of this compliment. This is such a good, valuable, pragmatic way to present these dilemnas. Meanwhile, I'd add these considerations: 1) diapers - may be a toss-up vis a vis greenness but are not when it comes to the health of the baby. rather than go off on this tangent, mentioning the consideration should be sufficient to spur parents who will do anything with it to do that, and there's probably a perfect link to put in there. 2) paper vs. plastic - ditto re toss-up, but how much environmental impact they have per individual user depends on how much care they will take to recycle them. if paper is difficult to recycle in their area or involves collecting and driving that they are not likely to do, but their grocery has a recycling collecter for the bags, there you go. The focus on meat and cars over paper or plastic is just such a good point, given the analysis, and will probably genuinely redirect energy that is currently being wasted on fretting into something that has more impact and can provide more satisfaction. I know I need to be reminded about the car (thanks). Good show!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by BobB Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:54am PDT

  Just so you know, the air is cleaner than it's ever been,water is cleaner than ever,we are NOT running out of landfill space, and chemical have a minute effect on us an the environment. You can look it all up according to UN studies. Thank you.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by David_E_Howell-Oak_Park-MI Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:09am PDT

  Yeah, right, wash your clothes in cold water. How stupid. Clothes s-m-e-l-l when you skateboard, mow lawns, and clean the garage, work at MacDonald's, etc. Idiotic advice. Cold water. Oh, I forgot, just let the ridiculously highly perfumed laundry detergent mask the fact that the clothes were washed in cold water instead of hot.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by girlygirl Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:16am PDT

  Its difficult to believe that there isn't much difference on the environment regarding disposable verses cloth diapers. Can you just imagine how many disposable diapers are out there in our landfills ??? I still believe cloth diapers are best. Yes, you have to use a little extra energy to wash a load of diapers every week...but to me that is much better than the "throw-aways". I do reuse my plastic grocery bags. I shut down my computer every night. ( you wouldn't believe how much energy that saves....approx. 20-25 cents per night. And I unplug anything not in use. People don't realize this...but if an appliance is plugged in , it is drawing energy even if it is NOT turned on. So...unplug that toaster, hair dryers, lamps that are rarely used, and so on.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by seasypsykl Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:20am PDT

  I can not believe you are telling folks not to worry about using those plastic bags, you should be ashamed of yourself. Not only do they help our environment but tell me how many of those bags are also litter along the roads and highways everywhere not to mention the problems they cause to sea life. Shame on you for being so very irresponsible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Tracey Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:21am PDT

  Um. Wow. I'm a little alarmed that an environmentalist would say "A few dozen (or even a couple of hundred) won't make a difference" Wow. That just destroys what most environmentalists try to say every single day: We can ALL make a difference, no matter how small. Isn't the point of being environmentally conscious that everyone makes an impact? That each tiny attempt we make adds up into a massive amount, when everyone's efforts are combined? That's like saying my $5 contribution to a charity walk makes no difference. That it is insignificant. Even though I know, when added to my walking companions' money, we have raised thousands of dollars. Humans as a species need to take responsibility for their actions. To say that we cannot make a difference makes me incredibly sad. Also, human waste does best when it goes with OTHER human waste. Cloth diapers may take resources to clean, but I never had to use boiling hot water and/or strange detergents to clean them. I used the regular detergent that my other laundry used and was able to pass them onto someone else once we were done with them. They will STILL be in good shape for a few more babies to use! Cloth Bags. All the way. I'd use them even if they weren't "green" because they are SO much easier to carry! Over my shoulder, they never rip, and I can carry my entire load of groceries in 1 trip instead of 5 or 6.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by seasypsykl Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:23am PDT

  To all-you can wash clothes in COLD water I have been doing that for over 10 years and they do smell and feel clean believe it or not, in fact there have been detergents on the market for well over 10 years that are specifically geared towards washing you clothes in cold water, wake up folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Mary Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:26am PDT

  No difference? Look at the impact of plastics on our oceans--plastic bags and other one use disposal plastic "things" are killing millions of sea mammals and other sea animals. There is a huge area between Hawaii and the mainland where the currents have concentrated tons of plastic garbage resulting in tons of damage to the ocean. Paper breaks down plastics don't.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Freak Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:54am PDT

  It's still best to just re-use cloth bags, though; paper may break down in the ocean, but you also have to consider landfill space. Stuff doesn't break down in landfills - there's not enough air, or soil and water where it needs to be, since everything is so jam-packed in. (In terms of space, actually, plastic is better.) But then, plastic is basically a toxin and is a petroleum product. Also, the statistic I've heard on disposable diapers is that the U.S. ALONE throws away enough disposable diapers EACH YEAR that, if linked end-to-end, would stretch to the moon and back 7 times. What with that and and the benefits Tracey outlined, I'm inclined to lean towards cloth diapers.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Gus P Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:06am PDT

  Nice, but....With all the commotion about alternative energy sources, especially for cars, when is someone going to be straight shooter with the American public and do a thorough analysis of the cost (monetary and environmental) of gasoline versus electric vehicles. Furthermore, I would like to role into the equation the pollution factor in making electricity, on the weighted average, utilizing the current sources such as coal, nuclear power, etc. I am sick and tired of this deceiving daily ads and expert articles deceiving us all that the car of the future is the electric car. They make it sound like you plug your car into an electric outlet free of charge, to charge with electricity that is made magically with no environmental impact, including the environmental impact of the transmission lines (if we all charge our electric cars, then new and larger transmission lines may be required). Where are the facts? None that I have read lately. Wouldn’t hybrids be a better alternative now and then?

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by wsfennell@verizon.net Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:06am PDT

  You are wrong, and it is a shame that you are using this pulpit from which to spread incorrect information. Paper versus plastic DOES make a difference. Have you not driven around and seen all these plastic bags hanging in trees,on fences, and in our waterways? If we would stop using them, they would not be there. At least a paper bag will biodegrade over time. You are correct, however, about the reusable bag. That is the best choice, and an easy one to make. Just put a stash of reusable bags in the car, and then RE-USE them!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by eisbaer415 Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:20am PDT

  Sorry but I think you are way off in the diaper department. Yes, cloth diapers are not without impact, but I believe the impact is far less. For one thing, I will state the obvious: You are reusing the same cloth diapers over and over and over again. So the impact of making that smaller number of cloth diapers and even washing them is going to be far, far less than the impact of making a gazillion disposable diapers that a parent goes through and that then sit in a landfill for forever more. Also, it does not require harsh detergents to clean them at all. In fact, most diaper makers suggest detergents without a lot of the chemicals, brighteners, etc. I have had the most luck in diaper washing with milder, greener detergents. I am mindful of the water used for my organic diapers (which are becoming more popular), but I feel a lot better that I'm not buying a million plastic diapers that are non-biodegradable. I find the "pretty much the same" impact is usually argued by people who never tried cloth and feel self-conscious about it.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Tim K Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:27am PDT

  Trying to make a difference in the environment is the biggest step! Using reusable bags instead of paper or plastic is the best answer. As far as listening to people on what is going on with the environment…. Only believe a third of what you see a third of what you hear and a third of what you read. We are just human we tend to push the facts in the direction we want them! Just ask your self this.. how much bag gases are put in the air everyday just from mother nature? Volcanoes, hot springs ect! So! Just remember… try to make a difference!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by js Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:29am PDT

  Help...I need a Green Job..Paper or Plastic..Toxic Toxic Chemicals we breath...from Perfumes..to Toxic chemicals in the workplace..I have asthma and highly allergic to Multiple Chemicals Sensitivity....Help Where Do I Get A GREEN JOB.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Scorpio Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:34am PDT

  First off I fail to see how buying things online will save any energy or gasoline since the fuel from the Plane or Truck driving it to your house will use up considerably more Gas. To the person who says their clothes feel and smell clean after washing in cold water, Feeling clean doesn't mean they are. If you have to wash your hands in water that is at least 65 degrees to kill germs what makes you think clothes should not also be washed in water at least 65 degrees. You need those very expensive "Green" washing machines to supposedly kill all those nasties. Yet the average washing machine also has quite a load of bacteria that can build up in it as well since a tiny bit of water is not able to escape the bottom of the machine it's a breeding ground for bacteria that will go back up to the top the next time you fill the washer EWWWW!!!

  Report Abuse