What are feminists doing to reduce their carbon footprint?

Question

Yes, everyone could drive less, recycle, etc., but I am wondering about some of the more interesting things feminists are doing to reduce greenhouse gases. I have heard of this thing called a mooncup. Do any of you feminists use it?

http://www.mooncup.com/

Rio...yes CFL lightbulbs do use a lot less energy, but did you realize that they are made in China for the most part and contain mercury. I thus have to wonder if the energy savings outweigh the environmental risk.

Answer 1

Feminism and environmentalism are not intertwined.

The scientific evidence that supports the Global Warming Theory is a little suspicious to me. Scientific research that is sponsored by a certain group or organization with an agenda is going to yield the "results" that best support said group's agenda.

All the same, I don't litter, my daily driver gets 35 mpg (the Chevelle gets about 12 mpg, but I don't drive it a lot), and I keep my electric bill low. I don't feel the need to live in fear or constant calculation, though.

Answer 2

My cousin uses the Mooncup - (for those not in the know a Mooncup - brand name - is a little rubber deep cup with a liitle dangly end so that it can be pulled out easily. It catches your menstrual blood, and re-used will last for years) she is the only other feminist I know. I use cloth and the occasional tampon. But all that really is a piss in a pot compared to car or plane use - I don't and can't drive, by the way, and have taken 1 flight in the last 5 years.
What RobLee (above with the low rating) is referring to is materialistic women. This is not a term synonymous with feminism. A lot of feminist women have been at the forefront of 'green'campaigns, and I have not known the kind of woman that he describes as feminist.
Being woman centred, for equal rights, opposed to patriarchy and male violence are not examples of selfishness. They are egs of FEMINISM - something that the anti feminist really should find some definitions for, rather than spewing their personal resentments about women on this board

Answer 3

I am a feminist and I do use something similar. And it was a feminist friend who told me about them.

I also drive a fuel efficient car, moved closer to work, turn off my lights when I'm not in a room, changed my bulbs to CFLs. I recycle paper and use recycled paper. Turn off my AC/heater when I'm not home and try to run it as little as possible.

RobLee, being a feminist and being eco-friendly are NOT mutually exclusive. In fact, most of my feminist friends are much more concerned about the environment than my non-feminist friends.

Answer 4

Should there be something special that feminists should be doing to protect the environment? Why can't we all just reduce our carbon footprint just because we're concerned citizens of the world, and not because we're part of this group or adhere to that ideology?

Answer 5

Whats a mooncup?

Answer 6

No, I still use maxis. Hopefully someone will create an environmentally-friendly maxi one of these days.

Anyway, we just started using compact fluorescent bulbs in my house, and Toyota has become my sole car brand of choice.

Answer 7

I don't see feminists as a whole doing anything to help out the environment. The two don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Answer 8

no, i don't use those.
but then, i'm pregnant...

i do plan to use cloth diapers & breastfeed though--both of which produce less waste / trash / embodied energy than their counterparts.

but it has nothing to do with my views on gender equality.

Answer 9

Most of them have stopped wasting carbon answering these kinds of questions. They all asked me to tell you, so you could stop asking.

Answer 10

Feminists talk extensively about:
- rights
- children
- history
- employment
- etc, etc, etc ...

Feminists don't talk about carbon footprint because they are hooked on consumption. The vast majority of (supposedly) equality minded feminists are married to men who make a better salary, but she spends 85% of that salary.