Why are you against Green or environmentalist thinking?

Question

I am just trying to understand why some people are so vehemently opposed to doing and using "green" things that help the environment.

I just don't understand why... it saves money, it saves the environment and it helps to reduce pollution. Regardless of weather or not you "believe" in global warming (as if it is a religion) do people still not see all of the positive benefits of using green products and building green LEED certified homes and buildings?

I'm really confused and would like real answers from real people who are against environmentalism.

thanks

Reganomics Hooked on Logic's Profile, I know what you mean about the political aspect of it all. The funny thing is I guess I would consider myself a conservative, maybe even a republican although I have major issues with the neo-conservative republican "thought process" (or lack there of). The people I meet who are so against the "green libral stuff" are all neo-cons, but isn't saving the environment and becomming less dependant on foriegn oil... conserving?
I just dont get it.

Chuck,
I dissagree, I dont see whats wrong with making "green" solutions profitable. It creates more job and eventually that will drive the prices down due to competitivenes.

Peppersh,
green things are not going to cause more people to starve. Its just a market shift, a solar panel plant will provide jobs just like a coal mine, they are just different. The fact remains, we are a capitalistic society and this new movement will create alot of new jobs, hell its already doing so.
What we need to look out for is stupidity... For instance, corn ethanol as someone pointed out earlier, takes way more energy to produce than just burning gass, so it is just plain stupid to look at it as an alternative energy source. The wood and gas fireplaces, although I havent heard about that, is again not a good move, but then again having a fireplace is not too smart either. Fireplaces do not warm a home, they actually draw air out of the house making your heating system have to work harder.

Answer 1

It's not that I'm against the concept of being more 'green', it's just that I evaluate what is being proposed and make up my own mind.

For example, do you know that:

1. It takes almost as much energy to run a large scale ethanol plant as it produces?

2. There is going to be a huge shortage of corn and other grains because of the demand for ethanol?

3. "Mr. Green", Algore, claims to be carbon neutral, but has many homes that need to be lit, heated and cooled; drives around in gas guzzlers, flies in private air planes?

Answer 2

I was involved with the environmental movement back in the mid 60's. Long before "Earth Day' or even Al Gore. All I have seen is good intentions turned into money over the decades.

I have seen the the "Global Cooling" of the 70's, the oil shortages come and go and come and go along with rising prices and falling prices then rising prices, and now "Global Warming".

I have actively help set up curb side recycling programs in 2 towns of over 75,000 people and a municipal trash recovery system for an area covering 100,000 people.

I know a few things.

What I really know is that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If there is a buck to be made, someone will find it and the good intentions you have become economic incentives for others to abuse.

Regardless of what we do, the planet is hurt.

Answer 3

I'm not against it at all; I completely agree that there's a need for conservation and saving animals and the environment. I just think (at least, here where I live), they go about trying to educate the public the completely wrong way. They stand out on the street corners, when people are busy going home or to work, or whatever (NYC is a very busy place), and they step right out in front of you and act very confrontational. It's a big turnoff for people who might already be against "green" thinking or who might be indifferent or on the cusp. The presentation of those who might convert other people to their way of thinking plays a big part in convincing others.

Answer 4

I personally am a partisan of the idea of environmentalism. to be more pragmatic about things as they are currently, I think it would be best if we launch into full preservation mode. However, there are still some individuals who cannot commit to such ideals mainly because they do not fully comprehend the rationale behind these actions. These are the uninformed or plainly misinformed. Moreover, there are several provisions in these "Green Acts" or laws that require the use of MORE expensive (by bulk) materials as substitute for the environment-unfriendly things we use today such as recycled paper in lieu of plastic bags when doing shopping. Another problem with paper bags is that it does not have enough tensile strength to hold heavier things as compared with plastic bags. Wouldn't you agree?

And for using biodiesel or ethanol from corn for your vehicles... it is a problem if your engines are not optimized for using these kinds of energy sources, which is especially true in developing countries. there have been reports that using these alternative sources of energy to power vehicles can engender unwanted artifacts in the engine, hence leading to their untimely malfunctioning. It would not be cost-effective to use a self-destructive oil in your car, would it? Also, there is not much difference in terms of cost when buying ordinary unleaded gasoline or diesel oil as compared with coco diesel or ethanol. would you rather risk your engine by using damaging materials for a price that is almost the same as normal diesel?

Answer 5

Personally, I am not against using common sense measures to be environmentally friendly. There are some extremists who are very bad representatives of the cause and have really made the entire movement appear to be full of whackos.
Some would argue that my hobby (recreational gold prospecting) is terrible for the environment. I and many hold fast to the fact that we are better keepers of the environment than those who claim to be trying to protect it from us. Fish love freshly dredged streambeds and we remove harmful heavy metals like mercury and lead from the ecosystem. I personally have never left so much as a scrap of biodegradable paper behind one of my operations.

Answer 6

they do no longer oppose all of them. particularly it particularly is a hasty generalization do no longer you think of? So now that i've got been honest. specific they are greater in contact proper to the nebulous thought accepted as biodiversity than they are with human beings. humorous situation this biodiversity; hasn't particularly looked as though it may sustain any species in any respect. nicely, blue green algae could desire to be considered an exception. The underlying subject between the agendas of the SC and GP is that no longer basically are there too many rattling human beings in this rock, yet they are the incorrect form of human beings. the style of human beings who think of that as quickly because it is composed of the survival of the human race (and it particularly is how the full international warming argument is couched as being approximately human survival) sparing a snail darter; a desert tortoise or a observed owl could no longer be significant and is probable a luxury we are in a position to ill locate the money for. The greater rational contributors of the Sierra club are no longer any greater in charge The extremists have taken the reins there's no genuine debate interior that enterprise approximately any thoughts to what's now dogma. it is unhappy in a manner. The Sierra club has now grow to be like Exxon in that they've made their plans and there is no longer room for debate. Wind or photograph voltaic are rather small potatoes; we could desire to make the main geo -thermal on a large scale. that's the genuine answer!

Answer 7

I'm not. However, I am totally opposed to left wing socialist thinking hiding behind supposed concern for the environment. A typical example of this type of thinking is:

There is an environmental crisis due to (insert what ever issue you want) and the only answer is for the government to step in and regulate (insert what ever part of my life the leftist are currently trying to control).

Answer 8

Thank you chuck n you said so well.Most of the "green things" are going to cause more people to starve,higher prices for everything,we are already seeing some of that, and more pollution than we have now.Do you know wood burning fireplaces are outlawed in some places? and in its place is some chemicals that burn with no heat and how were those chemicals made?whats the impact of that?When we want change we really ought to be careful the cure isn't worse than the disease

Answer 9

I think they like funding terrorist states and killing off polar bears. It might because civilization is moving toward the beaches and they want people's homes to flood. Or they want to destroy the only planet that we live on. They could even own Haliburton stock or XOM. Could be brainwashed by republican party, that is what bothers me, anybody from Democrat party says anything and people knock em. Does anybody have minds of their own anymore cant two different parties have the same opinions on different topics. Its all herd mentality, really its herb mentality. Ignorance is not bliss.

Answer 10

I've never known anyone who was actually -against- the environment, unless they were joking or being satirical. So I'm curious now!