Why is it that the most people that associate with the "green" movement are flakes?

Question

It seems to me that most people involved with this movement are flaky, slackers that have socialist leanings. One only need to look at the questions in these forums to see that many are ill informed and believe that catch phrases equal fact. Yet those that think global warming (just like the next ice age that was coming in the 70's) is just a platform for people like Al Gore to profit from and grab headlines are viewed as the ignorant ones. Why should gas taxes be raised to limit consumption instead of tax breaks being taken from companies that don't meet standards in a timely manner? It is hard for me to take seriously these arguements for the "green" movement when they are presented by people I would not let near my children (a.k.a. hippies) or people that scream alternate fuels yet race around in private jets and won't allow windmills to be built because they block the view (a.k.a. hippocrites).

OK I see from many of the answers given that my question is very one sided and examples can be given to show extremes on every issue. Thanks to everyone that attempted to give constructive answers to a question that might have seemed loaded at the time. Perhaps the better question for me to ask would have been: Why is attention seemingly only given to those that represent extreme points of view on issues such as the green movement.
That would have been the better question but it could be that I was simply not feeling very diplomatic yesterday.

Answer 1

A little harsh, granted but has an underlying point, which is: does everyone know when politicians and lobbyists are just using our sentiments for their own gain?

There are some social truths that politicians know how to manipulate, which is: if you express any doubt against something that is 'right' to the general view, you are automatically wrong. And bad. We are exploited with this all the time.

Take the green topic. Politician wants us to believe that anyone who is skeptical of the fact that humans are causing global warming automatically means they are selfish bastards that don't care about the earth and human beings.

Has all the green advocates even considered the fact that maybe people in power are blowing facts out of proportion, taking the worst case estimations, just to have a platform to stand on for the next election? I believe in a healthy earth and taking care of our resources, I just don't believe in being lead around blinded by 'scientific facts' touted by politicians and '99% of all scientists'.

I have a science background and I have to say that there is no such thing as 'overwhelming evidence' of anything. Remember 500 years ago EVERYONE was absolutely convinced, without a doubt that the earth was flat. That was a social truth people were killed for. I would rather save the earth based on real facts, not the latest political fad.

Answer 2

Well, I can't speak for most people but I am all for a "greener" lifestyle and I don't fit any of that criteria.

I am not a slacker by any means. I won't give you my biography here but I began life in severe poverty and fought my way up and I am now a student at Berkeley. As a member of the Libertarian party, I am far from socialist. I don't believe the global warming hype. Yes, the climate is changing; it always has and it always will. Humans are drop in the bucket if that. I can't stand Al Gore and his hypocritical money-grubbing ways. I think gas taxes should be lowered, as the government makes more money from gas sales than the oil companies do. I also support the advancement of wind power and nuclear power.

I think most of the people who are freaking out about "global warming" are high school kids, especially here on answers, who had The Inconvenient Truth shoved down their throats one too many times. It gets annoying, yes, but don't let it turn you off to being a good steward of the earth. Nobody wants to breathe nasty air or have contaminated water or look at litter all over the place. We should also be concerned with finding alternative fuels before we run out of fossil fuels and face economic collapse.

Answer 3

Doesn't matter, if it is AL Gore , a hippie or any one else. If they are trying to do something to save our envorment. Don't look down on this person, he doesn't have to have a degree in education, maybe he is an old timer that has a lot of common sense.
you know you need a little of both. Common sense and book sense, grow up.
If ever one recycled think how much that would help .You don't have to have education to know that.
I have recycled all my life no one told me to, but if you are poor when you are growing up you use any thing you own to it wears out. Or make it into something else. i was raised that way . So I still recycle, instead of sending it off in the garbage.
If everyone made a small effort think how much cleaner our world would be.
Al Gore, comes from my State. I know him well, he is a fine man. I am sure he makes his mistakes , but so do we.
And I am no hippie, but they have their place in the world same as us. Wouldn't it be a boring world if every one was the same.
Just do you're part or all you can do and don't worry what the other person is doing.We cant control the world, Just try to do your part.
Queen Bee

Answer 4

I don't understand all the hostility. I think that both parties are in the wrong for hating on eachother. I am an earth lover, I will tell you that straight up. But you are making this issue more about the people, when in fact, the bottom line is that this is about our earth. We don't know for sure that Global warming is true, I'll admit that. I know some people don't buy the whole thing, but that doesn't mean that they have the right too litter, etc. Bottom line is that we need to take care of our planet, everyone does, whether they believe what Al Gore is saying our not. Because it may not be doing as much damage as Gore says, but we all know that littering, etc. is bad, so the end. This isn't about the people and the opinions, this is about our planet.

Answer 5

I have no idea where you meet these people, but there are many people out there associated with the green movement that are not "flakes" as you call them. They just may not be as obvious. For example, I am a vegan environmentalist and I have been called a "modern" hippie because I dress fashionable, I am well educated (almost done with my MBA), have a full-time professional job, and I don't preach my beliefs. I do my best to recycle, cut down on driving, take my own bags to the grocery store, etc... People are always surprised when they find out that I am vegan and I care deeply about the environment. There are many more people out there like me and it just may not be obvious to you that they are involved with the green movement. Are you really going to stand against a whole movement to save the planet just because some of the people you have met you think are "flakes"? Talk about sterotyping!

Answer 6

First of all, I can't accept your premise. You seem to be building your argument on the questions you see in Yahoo Q&A.

There are flakes everywhere in our society. There are people misinformed about many, many issues in every aspect of life. What's new?

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder. Work on your people skills and your spelling, and read some of the legitimate work put out by educators, scientists, researchers and grad students. They aren't flakes or "hippies" by my definition. It's hard to deny that as a society we're beyond wasteful. The heart of the green movement is proving that there are more sustainable ways to live life and then doing just that.

Answer 7

So you are saying that everyone making an effort to improve the quality of their life and taking care of the earth at the same time, is a hippy? So to treat the earth with respect is something awful to pass along to your children? And because I lower my thermostat, recycle, change a few light bulbs, buy organic food for my family and try to limit the amount of time spent driving, I am therefore "flaky"? That seems incredibly shallow and I don't think you see the big picture. The "green" movement is about making the earth a better place to live for our children and our grandchildren. What contribution are you making to better the world we live in?

Answer 8

Flakes and slackers with socialist leanings like these?

"Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich challenged fellow conservatives to stop resisting scientific evidence of global warming"

"Pat Robertson (very conservative Christian leader) 'It is getting hotter and the ice caps are melting and there is a build up of carbon dioxide in the air. We really need to do something on fossil fuels.”

Ford Motor Company CEO William Clay Ford, Jr. "I believe there is now more than enough evidence of climate change to warrant an immediate and comprehensive - but considered - response. Anyone who disagrees is, in my view, still in denial."

"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."

James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.

"Global warming is real, now, and it must be addressed."

Lee Scott, CEO, Wal-Mart Company

"Republican governors team up against global warming"

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Republican_Governors_team_up_against_Global_0716.html

"the overwhelming number of scientists now believe that there is significant human cause,'' Giuliani said, adding the debate on the existence of global warming "is almost unnecessary ... ''

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/13/GIULIANI.TMP

Answer 9

i think you consider them flaky because their views seem unorthodox to you. their solutions are as painfully simple as finding a helpful act and committing it, again and again. catch phrases are cleverly designed to attract the attention of those who are not yet so enlightened. consumption is the real culprit behind much of our environmental degradation: it makes PERFECT sense to attempt to limit consumption, and therefore waste as well.

a better way - if you'd only add a little milk, those flakes would soften right up. don't forget to recycle the carton.

Answer 10

In the words of the great environmentalist Patrick Moore. Greenpeace stopped using science and logic.