Is there a genuine attempt by people to try and alter their lifestyles to save the environment?

Question

Or do people make supficial 'lifestyle choices' which have as much meaning as picking a particular brand of trainers? Just asking because I have a certain perspective on this.....can you guess which one?

Answer 1

Yes and no. And there is a big difference between a citizen in this country and one in a developing nation where there has been little or no industry in the past.

"Alter their lifestyles" covers a multitude of concepts. There is some support to curb industry from just discharging very toxic materials directly into the biosphere without any modification. Some communities are looking toward recycling to help solve "waste removal" problems. Some individuals are making conscious choices to cut down wasteful energy use.

But there are also some people, especially in the USA who currently have no idea as to the real magnitude of the current environmental problems. They continue to buy and drive vehicles which are wasteful, use disposable every-things, use more water than they need to use and live as if there will be no tomorrow.

Worse, perhaps, are those who "talk the talk," but continue to live in the past. These people give token respect to environmental problems, but still make life choices which can be viewed as "not helpful." This is especially true of some wealthy urban professionals. Their idea is more like "throw your Styrofoam cup in the trash" than "stop using Styrofoam."

Answer 2

I think some people do make genuine attempts to alter their lifestyle to try and reduce their impact on the environment. For example paying attention to energy efficiency and energy conservation in the domestic situation actually saves money and does have a real effect. The battle to reduce man's impact on the environment is being fought on many fronts and yes little things do help. There are really big things to be done in the technologies we use in power generation and transportation which we have to press forward with but these are massive undertakings and expecting this to happen very fast is not realistic. Just because these technologies are still in the development phase is no excuse for not doing the things we can do now.

Answer 3

Governments should help. They don't (do that enough). They don't give a good example. (Thus, people need to vote left wing in stead of right wing.)
As long that's the case, by far the most individuals will think that what they can do, will be of no help. Thus, they will not change their lifestyle (enough).
The best help would be: don't have more then 1 child. The overpopulation is THE killer for the environment. Thus, the more children we will have, the more grandchildren will live in a more poluted environment.
BTW: only SOME PARTS of China have the '1 child policy'! (something few people know)

Answer 4

I changed the little bits I can do like using Ecological cleaning products & buying from places that also support the environment. But it starts to get very expensive, which I dont mind. I take the stance that the extra I'm paying is one less Cinema trip etc. but I feel I'm in the minority.
Trying to encourage most others falls flat on it's nose. But some family/ Friends changed there ways too.

but every little helps- or at leat I hope it does.

Answer 5

Well everyone will respond differently to a greater or lesser extent, and those that refuse to think this way will doubtlessly self-destruct due to their selfish lifestyle in one way or other anyway, so why not begin today, to extend your own and everyone elses quality of life and future of the planet?
Even the smallest of actions like selecting a food item with no packaging over one with excess packaging makes a BIG difference, or saying NO to plastic bags, it really does begin to change things. We can't hear the message oten enough at this stage! The changes we've made will be the norm to my children as they grow up, so hopefully we can minimise future damage and sustain the planet bit by bit, action by action.

Answer 6

Yes, there is. I've never had a motorized vehicle. =)

A recent decision to collect garden seeds & wild drought-tollerant seeds (edible/medicinal) was hard to initiate - until I let go of the heavy sense of importance tied to it, and did it just to see if I could... for collection sake & curiosity.

The government uses its resources to do what the people ask, unless it's senseless. We must speak up!

I have studied wildlife/wild lands conservation in order to be prepared for a career in a desperate field, or permaculture self-sufficiency when the mass-majorities stupidity and corruption finally collapses onto them. Every past civilization has surcumbed to that! (Anam Cara: the Celtic book of wisdom)

Then... monkey-think, monkey-do:
Haven't you notice the rising price of groceries? Fruits & vegetables? Storms & climate change have been cutting down agricultural production.
If you eat fast food only, you will eventually feel the pain. What do you think that food is made of.... plastic?...dirt?
(yes, it does sometimes tast like it.)

Then this mass apathy & mass chronic bad habits does its damage.

I have seen myself paradise wilderness torn apart by tourism.
Fact: Scientists/psychologists found that adults who had childhood access to mostly undisturbed wild were much more sane, stable & peaceful than city-bred kids. I've been in the wild, small towns and big city (Austin). I choose the wilderness anytime. It's given me healing after the 'fast-lane' damage to my soul.
The rest of what I'd say is at (use search term:) Global Disaster Watch. Check the links 1/2 way down.
Thank-you.

Answer 7

People are changing quite rapidly, compared to 5 years ago.
True, a lot of the change is just surface, but people are now much more aware of something going on in the environment, and this will mean that politicians will follow on with policies which will help change, and that people will accept, albeit reluctantly.

I think overall the will to change is there, but very few want to do it on their own.

Answer 8

People are mainly interested in comfortable life. This is natural but not always clever. Satisfying basic animal instinct for, food, warmth, security and sex (pleasure) relaxes but does not assure correct base for happy life. This is the basic but not complete form of good economy of the personal energy.
Complete economy of personal energy includes by above mentioned also a good relationship with the surroundings and all the living beings. This later request can be achieved only by additional effort through permanent awareness, constant learning, body supporting care and care for environment (in one word –personal responsibility). Effort is mostly not attractive for human body, so humanity is due to shortsightedness (blinded by self-pity, wrong economy of the personal energy) going to sink deeper and deeper in trouble.
Some, which lead awakened or enlightened life, cannot correct decay trend. They are interested in living fully functional life, doing their best whatever they do. They are free from responsibility for existing situation. This makes for them the life easier (more joyful) but do not protect them from the consequences.

Answer 9

There are a few weak efforts out there.

Big energy has thwarted efforts to clean up power plant and factory smoke emissions by issuing saleable credits to offenders. High cost of clean-up is cited as the problem.

Lots of trash collection and disposal has been modified to include recycling operations.

Jet planes still pollute the atmosphere far worse than automobiles spewing out thousands of miles of exhaust gas at high altitudes every day.

Large trucks are another major smoke producer with few remedies in sight.

Few global efforts to replant trees and the rain forest can be seen. Trees can save us.

Answer 10

Most of the big environmental organisation make a lot of noise about the environment but only to attract funding. The CEOs of these organisations live in huge mansions, drive expensive cars and fly around in private jets. A bunch of hypocrites if you ask me (or even if you don't ask me).

Answer 11

I've recently got heavily into recycling.
My normal rubbish bin is only a quarter full when the binmen come each week now.
I can't believe just how much recyclable material I was throwing away with my regular rubbish before I started this.