http://www.care2.com/greenliving/greener-than-thou.html
Greener Than Thou
I have this one cloth grocery bag I got as a freebie at last fall’s San Francisco Greenfest that I like a lot because it’s sturdy, with a good shape, good handles, and it’s a pretty shade of green. But I don’t necessarily like using it because of what it says on the side: “My carbon footprint is smaller than yours.”
Now don’t get me wrong, I am proud of the fact that I use cloth bags and with many of my other green lifestyle habits, but don’t you think that is just a little bit obnoxious? I might silently sneer at the SUV driver in the lane next to me, but I don’t have a bumper sticker proclaiming myself better than someone just because my car is better for the environment.
Before I got my Prius (which I pretty much had to buy to alleviate the guilt from my long commute to work), my husband and I would point them out on the freeway. “Look, there’s another Toyota Pious!” We called them this because of the sanctimonious attitude hybrid car owners can sometimes adopt.
Don’t get me wrong, I think hybrids are great. I think everyone should drive one. Ditto for cloth bags. Everyone should use them. But I don’t assume I am better than someone else because I do. I am optimistic enough to think that everyone makes their own good choices for the Earth, whether or not they are visible to you and me. Maybe the guy in the SUV has an organic garden complete with a compost heap in his back yard. Maybe the woman who uses paper bags at the store is going to use them to put her already-read books in to donate to the library.
And even if they don’t, even if some people are just cavalierly traipsing across this planet with little regard for its resources or its survival, I am trying not to judge.
I don’t have an organic garden or a compost pile, but I do donate my used books to the library. Maybe someday I will be perfect, but until then I’ll just be saving the Earth one small habit at a time.
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7 comments
add your comment »Hi,
Recycling is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of being environmentally friendly. And recycling is important. But recycling is only one part of the environmentally friendly business equation. We can also take a large step towards being more environmentally friendly by reducing the amounts of waste in our offices and business operations.
grüner tee
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Do keep in mind that you have to drive your brand-new Prius 100,000 miles to make up for the carbon emitted in creating your car in the first place. Those of us driving used cars that perhaps don't appear as environmentally friendly may be driving used cars.....that is, getting more mileage from a car that has already been created. As you point out in your article, the whole point to living "green" as it's now called is to see yourself as part of the whole system and behave responsibly within that framework.
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Every little bit helps. Let's champion the small steps we all take to create change. As more information is available, people will use it to make informed personal choices. This site is great, I learn new things every day.
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Comparing footprints is about as constructive flyering your neighborhood to remind them to recycle...it isn't. I personally make a point of telling everyone who asks why I use cloth bags to google the Pacific garbage patch...no value judgments...just a gentle nudge. Some people are afraid it is too expensive or costly to change their ways, adding a high school-esque, cliquish, snobbery factor to it may be enough to make them give up before they start. I got my sister hooked on Mrs. Meyers cleaning products. It's a huge improvement over the chemical laden products she favored before. Baby steps! But we have to be inclusive, not seem exclusive, to turn on those who are reticent about the idea of going green.
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WTG! I have been trying my best to reduce consumption -- built a house last year that is super insulated, all energy star appliances, tankless water heater, 2.2 KW solar electric system, energy conservation windows, roof, siding, etc. I have a 13 mile commute to work (1-way) and still drive less than 7500 Miles/yr due to combining trips. I drive 65 mph or less on roads to further reduce gas consumption. I have a garden, I recycle, I have a compost heap. Still, when compared to larger households, I am "above average" with my footprint -- because my usage is divided by 1. Still -- I am doing everything I can when I can to reduce what I use. Yes, I plan to purchase a Prius next year when I need to replace my car -- and to add more solar panels to my array -- and whatever else I can afford...along with supporting candidates for public office who "get it" with regard to finding alternative and renewable forms of energy and who are willing to share our wealth with peoples in countries who don't have the same access to the technologies that make this possible. I've got to admit, though, when I see someone driving a Hummer into a health food store parking lot.... I SHUDDER! Yes, they have their reasons...as do the Insurance industry, the big-pharma industry, the haliburtons.... And I don't like it. I judge that I don't like it. I have the right to not like it. Just as we all have our versions and aversions. I make my perspectives known to my friends and elected represe
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It's so nice to hear someone who doesn't have this "with us or against us" attitude about enviromental care, I myself am a vegitarian for environmental and health reasons, and am very rarely willing to discuss it outside of my family and closest friends because I don't want to preach at anyone. I think more people would be good to adopt your attitude of not judging others' actions as you are more likely to give positive influence by not judging them and only explaining if they ask or are interested. It's very refreshing to see that there are people out there who don't want to go on tirades or deface vehicles that are less than ecologically healthy. (Yes I actually read a blog bragging about smuggly vandalizing SUVs with derogatory bumper stickers recently)
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I totally agree with you. There is nothing worse than constantly comparing your footprint to others to prove who is more sustainable. I think that proves you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I think looking down your nose at your less green counterparts discourages them from becoming more green...and it's kind of annoying. Good for you not judging.
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