"Yeah, that'll work fine 'til their parents figure out that the real solution to climate change includes a HUGE change in how we live and an equalizing of wealth around the globe and honest-to-God sacrifice -- such as, no more big old house in the suburbs with two.point.five cars to drive around all the time for every whim, but instead, take public transport -- my God -- to and from work every day, and live closer to work (what? with POOR people and HOMELESS, around, in the city?) and walk a lot, and hang clothes on a line to dry instead of shoving them in a dryer, and waste minimization like the Japanese do, and water conservation (you mean I can't have a green lawn when I live in the desert?), and every house lit up like a Christmas tree 24/7/365 -- and THAT kind of sacrifice ain't gonna happen in THIS country....not unless we all live through another TRUE Great Depression for a generation or two."
Blogger's Note: I was inspired to run the story CLEAN AIR by a plant. A plant that a colleague who was on vacation asked me to care for. This colleague had a large plastic (recycled milk) jug for watering her plants - but the jug had a hole in it, that caused me to spill water all over her desk. I don't buy milk by the gallon, so I asked another colleague (with young children) if she a jug at home that she could bring in. And she said, "No, we buy our milk in glass bottles. It's delivered everyday fresh, and we recycle." Who knew!
I agree with your comments 100% - well maybe 85%. But I also think that even small changes in our routines and habits, will make a difference in the long run. And I think you'd be surprised by the steps some of your neighbors and co-workers have already taken to conserve, renew and reuse. We're getting better. We're not there yet. But we are getting better.
This is what I'm willing to do:
I agree with your comments 100% - well maybe 85%. But I also think that even small changes in our routines and habits, will make a difference in the long run. And I think you'd be surprised by the steps some of your neighbors and co-workers have already taken to conserve, renew and reuse. We're getting better. We're not there yet. But we are getting better.
This is what I'm willing to do:
1. My house is 2400 sq ft, that's about average for houses in the U.S. It's a single family home, but it is energy efficient. I use compact flourescents, green cleaning products, white paper products (for the most part :-) and a programmable thermostat.
2. On occassion, I will take the commuter bus to work; but not when the weather is bad, or if I have other errands to run before or after.
3. I will hang my sheets on a retractable clothesline in my back yard - not just because it's environmentally correct, but because I love the smell of bed linens that were hung outside to dry.
4. Now that we have wheels on our recycle bins, I recycle 5 times more waste than I throw away.
5. I will support farmer's markets and locally grown produce and dairy products.
6. I will water my lawn only when I must. And if I move to the desert (not gonna happen), I'll landscape with cactus.
And this is what I'm not willing to do:
1. I am not going to live in the city; for all the reasons you mentioned and more - density, noise, crime, and that sense of anonimity that makes people think they can get away with anything - and then try it.
2. The toilet will be flushed EVERY time.
3. They will have to take my car keys out of my cold dead hand.
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