Is "living green" really a selfish thing to do?

Question

Okay think about it: you're trying to help the world by limiting your carbon footprint...but it takes so much more of a difference than even the most green person can do. And here there are people who need food and can't even make the decision to be green (although they're probably the greenest) and the food shelfs and charities are running dry. Why does concern for everyone else living with whatever consequences we've committed ourselves to seem to go lower in priority than our own fight to stay alive?

Disclaimer: Sorry about not having correct jargon!! Also, in essence I have nothing wrong with living green or trying to better the world physically - i'm just getting a perspective from you.

Answer 1

living green benefits everyone, even those who are in need. by protecting environments in which the world's poorest people live, we can increase their overall health and make it possible for them to practice agriculture near their homes. there are so many 'brownfields' in destitute areas: blighted by pollution and waiting for rebirth. there are large tracts of land just begging to be cultivated using micro-farming techniques, or permaculture techniques, that can provide not just food but healthier food! permaculture also stresses sharing food and talents according to each person's ability: earth care and people care.

trash is often dumped and transported near the homes of the poor. by cutting down on waste we can reduce the frequency and size of these trips, and cut down on the energy needed to haul them. recycling and reusing products is the best way to kick-start this process.

i sincerely appreciate your concern for all the people in the world. a part of caring about people is caring about their environment. you yourself noted that these folks are already among the greenest there are, by using what resources they have wisely and avoiding waste and disposal issuses. i'd counter that we could ALL follow that path, consume less, therefore waste less, and help all of us have a healthier home and live healthier lives.

Answer 2

The way I see it is you are asking why do we care about putting our individual efforts into making the world a more livable place in the long run, instead of putting them into helping people live in the short run.

First, if you think a group of individuals can make an impact on world hunger, then you should think that they should be able to make a similar impact on controlling the polluting of the planet. After all, it isn't just the efforts of one person but the combined efforts of several people that are making the difference. Second, there is no reason why efforts can not be made to both since they aren't mutually exclusive. Third, keeping people alive for the short term isn't going to matter much if there isn't anything to keep them alive for.

Answer 3

Living Green is really a selfless act. A person is considering what will happen to others as well as themselves. The money I save by recycling, not using excessive packaging, conserving, water and electricity, I can use for my favorite charities to better someone elses life. It's a great feeling. There's nothing selfish about living green.

Answer 4

Green living is really about caring about three things the earth, the people and fair shares. That means limiting your own consumption so that others may have their needs met. The problem you describe is inequality. Caused by massive differences in earnings. Look at football players, how can they be 'worth' so much more than other people? They are not in reality, but society 'values' them more highly. So they have a massive share of the pie. Self limit your own consumption that is being green.

Answer 5

you don't have your facts right. Green living actually is highly economical (though may require more money up front).

Things you can do that are green AND save money

1. switch to CFL's: higher up-front cost, but saves you money in the long term in energy costs (and last significantly longer than regular lightbulbs).
2. Drive less and drive smarter (plan out errands to avoid unnecessary trips and to find the most direct routs cutting down on driving time).
3. Bring canvas bags to the grocery stores (many stores give $.03 to $.05 off per bag -- not a lot, but it adds up)
4. Unplug electric appliances when not in use (appliances suck up electricity even when not on)
5. Don't keep the AC cranked when you are not home.
6. Keep the blinds down during the summer months to help naturally cool rooms.
7. buy locally grown produce (usually comparable to grocery store prices: helps to support your local farmers and requires less energy to make it from the farm to your table).
8. wash your clothes in cold water (saves in energy costs)
9. Take short (and not scorching hot) showers
10. Eat vegetarian one day per week (often cheaper than meats and grains take significantly less energy to produce per pound than meat).

Answer 6

I just read about this website on the Wall Street Journal: Carbon Diet Plan. It is an application that can put us on a 'carbon diet'. As an individual and friends, we can make an impact on global warming 1 lb at a time.

http://www.CarbonDietPlan.com

Answer 7

Okay, those people that cant afford to live green are unfortunate people which are abundant in the world. We cannot stop the good doing feeling sorry for those thousands of people! We're the lucky ones who are capable to help the world(maybe) and we should take that chance.

Answer 8

No, it is a very unselfish act and it helps to preserve Earth, reduce consumption of natural resources, reduce pollution, reduce bad health caused by chemical use in our environment, I hope you get the idea....Inequality will always be around but if we are not sensitive to keeping our environment clean and enable Earth's resources instead of destroying them, they will get trashed.
We all should leave this place better than how we found it.

Answer 9

It takes a lot of discipline to 'live green' it is so much easier to be a junkie right along with the rest of the world. But every little bit counts so if some one is able to do it I commend them and hope them the best.

Answer 10

no. i live green to and living green is just a way to help reduce pollution that is slowly increasing the rate of global warning and al gore is wrong global warming is a natural prossess that has been speeded up by our usage of fossil fuel. more people need to live green.