Can living a green lifestyle help you reach a better mental balance?

Question

Sometimes the little things you do to help the environment can make a huge difference in your personal outlook. Tell us your thoughts about the impact of driving a hybrid vehicle, recycling and other ways you contribute to a greener Earth.

Answer 1

I believe that any time you are back in touch with the natural world, you are doing something very important for your mental health. I don't believe that most people are really built for living in a world of concrete and steel; if we were, I doubt that so very many of would take so much trouble to get out of the cities on the weekends, and go to the lake, skiing, hiking, and so on. This certainly seems to be a need that many of us share, and if we do not work to preserve our own personal favorite patch of the natural world, it won't be long before it doesn't exist any longer. Conversely, I believe when we DO actively work to preserve that special spot, or someone ELSE'S special treasure, that we know somewhere inside that we have done something fundamentally RIGHT, and I believe it contributes to our self-worth and self-esteem.

Answer 2

I totally think living a green lifestyle helps achieve a better mental balance. I think I have lived a green lifestyle for a while, but what really made me kick it up a gear was having a child. So many people say that they don't want to bring a child into this world in the state we are in. I say, if people who are conservationists, green minded and have some civic responsibility don't have children and teach them, what will the world become? We drive a hybrid vehicle which is great, we try to see how long and how fast we can go solely on electric before the gas kicks in. We also signed up for 100% renewable energy. Another way we are trying to be greener is with all the "stuff" that kids need and really only use for a matter of months. Craigslist and the plethora of used kids and toy stores in Portland, OR have been a huge help. Having a community around you with like minded ideas always helps!

Answer 3

If you mean because we are carrying around less guilt re. complicity in destroying the environment, then yes. I recycle newspapers and plastics. I am mindful of it, but not sanctimonious or obsessive-compulsive as I observe some people to be. I don't own a hybrid--or a bike--but do drive a little old Mazda 323 that gets good mileage and doesn't burn oil.Of course I don't know if it would pass the California emissions test. I do the best I can to think green, but am really more concerned about the world being blown up and the environment along with it. The polar ice caps won't have a prayer against a nuclear holocaust.

Answer 4

I have no experience driving a hybrid vehicle. I seriously doubt that the existing technology is as good as the car makers would have us to believe that it is. The shut down of the engine, and then restarting for the need of the extra power from the gas engine would tend to place repeated physical shocks to the engine when it restarts. An alternator/motor driving the vehicle through belts seems to be pretty primitive.
So far as green living goes, most of it is hype, in my opinion. Our current technology and the lack of controls on the dumping of common electronic devices is adding pollutants that are far worse than what was put into the environment 40 years ago.
If we really want to talk about "green" living, then a good start would be fuels based on resources that are current, rather than what we are using now. Steam engines would be great for our vehicles since the pollutants that would come from such an engine would be even less than what is being done today, even with the hybrids. The problem is, it could cut into the profits of auto manufacturers, and the fuel industry. That, is not going to happen, and we both know that.

Answer 5

Nobody will read my answer but...

Here's my take:

I don't drive a hybrid vehicle. In fact, I drive a performance sports car that gives me 22mpg.

I believe drinking diet soda won't make you lose weight. I think driving a hybrid vehicle won't clean up the environment. Although it can help the environment, it isn't necessarily always the case.

I try to combine trips. Each time you need to warm up the engine it takes a lot of energy.

I try to not take unnecessary trips. I try to have slightly longer hairstyle so I don't have to visit the barber shop as often. Saves me some $$$ there too.

Recycling might not be green either. For instance, you need trucks that transport the paper to be recycled. What do trucks run on? Fuel. Do parts in the truck wear out? Yes, how do you replace those parts? By producing the parts, which take energy and then shipping the parts which also takes energy. And then when you do recycle paper, you add many chemicals to it to separate the ink/chemicals, etc. The machines that recycle the paper also run on energy.

So what is my suggestion? To be more resourceful instead of being more efficient. Efficiency is a ratio. Resourcefulness is an absolute measure. For example let's pretend we need to move 100,000 people. We can use 100,000 SUVS that have been improved to reduce emissions by 50%. That would equate to using only 50,000 SUVs. That is neglecting other costs such as vehicle production etc. But if you want to be resourceful, you will pack those 100,000 into 20,000 SUVs. 5 people per SUV. So carpooling is green.

Let's all try to use paper more wisely.
Let's pick water over soda.
Let's buy a used vehicle instead of a new one.
Let's try to focus more research on technology that can be adhered into used vehicles to make them more fuel efficient.
Let's avoid buying large SUVs and opt for smaller coupe/sedan vehicles.
Let's repair instead of buying brand new.
Let's avoid fast food drive-thrus. The long lines of cars make for a lot of pollution with the engines on idle.

That my friends is my definition of sustainability. And my green lifestyle is to try to share knowledge with others whenever I am not lazy.

My green lifestyle helps me have a better mental balance because I think more about the things I consume and the services I use. It makes me feel intelligent because I make decisions that I had to think of.

P.S.: I am a business major and I understand that when consumers purchase goods or services they are doing more than that. They are making a statement because they are willing to invest their resources (in this case money) into that good or service. It has value to them. So if people buy HUGE TRUCKS and SUVS then they are making a statement that they value the TRUCK/SUV more than despite the fact that they burn a lot more fuel (in an efficiency basis). So it doesn't really encourage businesses to do better.

Answer 6

I think that some people living the 'Green' lifestyle are mentally out of balance.

I heard on the news today that the extra energy used in walking somewhere has a larger carbon footprint than the gas used to drive it, if beef or milk is the food used to replace the calories. The carbon cost of farming wheat is probably less, but it still can't be assumed to be less.

This whole green thing gets complicated because the alternatives have carbon costs that you don't think about.

The only thing you can be sure of is that having fewer children would reduce carbon emissions the most. Did Al Gore buy carbon offsets for having more than two children?

In any case, after trying to be individually good to the environment of my home, and then finding out that some of what I've been doing is not green but mean, I'm about to lose my balance.

Answer 7

I think it's extremely important to lead a greener lifestyle. Not only will you feel better about yourself, you'll also reduce pollution and give nature a break. The environment is taking a huge beating from us. All tht plastic we use and don't recycle ends up in a landfill and won't break down for thousands of years.
Planet earth is the only place we can call home, and no matter how much science and technology advances, there will never be a better, more comfortable or more perfect place than this planet, so isn't it safe to say that taking care of the only planet we can call home should be a top priority.
I live in NYC so I dont drive. I take advantage of public transportation and save thousands a year. I also avoid buying bottled water and if I Have to, I reuse the bottle and then recycle it. I unplug appliances that I'm not using and turn off lights when im not in the room. All my appliances are energy star and I keep my AC running at a confy 65 or higher. When classes begin again I will buy recycled paper.
It's the little things that make a huge difference and I am not suffering or making any huge sacrifices.

Answer 8

I do belive that living a greener lifestyle will not only help society and ourselves reach a better mental balance but the earth in General. In my city we have NO RECYCLYNIG PROGRAM, so we try to put our can and recycable goods in one trash bins where the dumpster divers from other areas (we are in a upper middle class area) can easily get them and recycle them, and make money. We also have a salt water pool rather than a chlorien (sp sorry) pool because it is better for our souls, bodies, and the enviroment, then clorien. Our plants around our home (so ca) are pretty drought proof and need less watering, and can withstand the long months of non watering. That makes me personally feel like not having to water daily feel like I am conserving. The household clensers are all green, not only for the enviroment, but also because I have Lupus, and I get very ill from traditional cleansers. Since switching over, the peace of mind, on the overall impact on me and the earth, has eased my phycial symptoms, and the knowledge that they do less harm to the earth.

We have been ruining our earth more and more for the last 30 years. People don't seem to care that the glasiers are melting at the speeds they are. they do not understand the impact on the animals in general, or on us as the human race. Paper consumption from cutting the rain forest, as well as other wooded areas are also ruining our enviroment. I find that very disturbing. In So CA, places that were once beautiful wilderness sancuaries, people now have to fight to keep natural, and usually the state wins, and calls it inamte domaine. everything is being built up. what a shame. so little beauty to be had, which on a spiritual, emotional level, is more important to see, than a new strip mall, or housing tract.

I do think Hybrid cars are great. When getting ready for a next car, would look into one. When purchased, my new car, went from a large SUV to a much smaller one, no regrets. When ready for another car, will look into the new hybrid SUV's when got present SUV, there where no SUV Hybrids. I also wonder why does anyone need a HUMMER?? Except the military???

I also love the new Green reusable bags rather than those plastic bags you get at the grocery store. I feel proud when I go in with my bags, and everyone else is still using those bags that fly around all over, never to disitergrate, just to fill landfills for years to come.

Thank you, great question
More people need to think of this for our children, their children, and so forth. Its not just our generation, but several more down the line that must live here. Look at how the weather patterns are changing. It is because of what we have done to the earth......those between 20-70

Answer 9

This is a question to the subject of Green Lifestyle, Recycling, Hybrid Vehicles and other ways we can contribute to a HEALTHY EARTH:

Today was a record breaker again on the heat in several parts of the U.S. I have watched, read and heard from others that Global Warming is propaganda, so I am concerned... Is it? It seems the temperatures are rising all over, but many people I have spoken to and read articles on it say the Global Warming isn't an issue?

There must be something going on if the Ice Caps are melting and everything seems to be warming up.

Post your answers as to where I can get some good info on this subject.

Thanks!

Answer 10

This is a funny question... Battery are causing more poluants than any gases coming from a car! What will happen to the millions battery that will be disposed of after 5 to 10 years life? An hybrid car is a waste of ressources, as we will use coal power plants to charge the battery and oil for the traditional engine!
Hydrogen cars are no better, as making hydrogen alone is more expensive than oil!!
So the really best solution is mass transit improvements!!
But since it doesn`t please the car industry and larger families, why not used biochemical batteries that can be recharged with methanol or other chemicals... Some cellphone and portables in Japan are already working on those!! This make more sense, and take much less time to recharged! And emissions are almost zero, while the battery life need only little maintenance to function indefinitly!!

Answer 11

Fighting to keep the environment alive and healthy is a good thing, no doubt. These things like hybrid cars and recycling are great, but do not aid in helping your "mental balance." As far as nature is concerned, the only thing that could help is actually taking time from trying to keep the environment together and simply just enjoy the beauty within our own world. In this fast paced world so much is overlooked. Not as many people adore God's handiwork. A simple sunset is so complex. Trees that are taller than many of are houses, yet they can stand there for years and years while houses fall over by bad wind storms. So much of these things, while good; are just used for political and economical gain. Look at the hybrids, now all the car dealers are competing to have a better vehicle that is a hybrid (nothing wrong with that, but it changes things from environmentalism to commercialism). Those are just my thoughts. In the end, while these are all good things; they aren't going to aid in your mental balance.