Environmentalism, unfortunately, has turned into an industry. Ecologos, certifications (that are sometimes fraudulent), gadgets, environmental footprint websites...on and on it goes.
There is only one true form of environmentalism. That is to take a personal stand. Just because no one is looking does not mean that throwing trash out the car window, or leaving it in a remote beautiful place is acceptable. To make a gadget, another button to push, another unit made from plastic and rare earths to replace mindfulness is great for creating jobs, but actually does little to save the planet. The gadget defers responsibility from the individual, who is happy to have spent money to assuage the conscience.
Energy star appliances? None of these things have had the cost of manufacture and transportation to consumer factored into the 'green' assessment. What is really going on? Could it be a ploy to create jobs by rounding up all the old refrigerators? Beyond the shadow of a doubt, an old fridge with a good gasket (and in proper working condition), and the freezer compartment inside the refrigerator has potential to use less energy than a new frost free model. For starters, cold falls, so the freezer inside at the top of the fridge kept everything cold. Second, the insulation in the fridges was at least double what a new plastic fridge has. Third, THERE IS NO HEATER IN AN OLD FRIDGE as there is in new models, so the energy demands were not defying each other.
Convenience has trumped the intelligent, cold conserving design of the fridge of bygone days. The CFCs in the refrigerants (http://www.theozonehole.com/cfc.htm) that were taken off the market in the '90s were replaced by something that is even more adversely affecting the ozone holes at the poles (you will find differing reports on this). Ever wonder why the polar ice caps are melting? Maybe it's radiation from the sun that the ozone layer is no longer able to combat, on our behalf. Oh, and lets not forget the volcanoes under Antarctica that are melting southern glaciers...but I digress...
If we were serious about environmentalism, instead of creating/preserving jobs, we would have harmonic fridges by now. Developed in the '80s as a low cost/low energy use alternative for developing economies, the idea was 'shelved'. Too much investment in the energy pigs we use, and all of the components and jobs to shift to a new paradigm...
I am using refrigerators as an example. The gaps between pretense for updating and reality of end result exist in every industry. New low odour paint stinks for days instead of 24 hours, washes off, is more expensive, and must be applied more often. That sounds like a serious environmental effort, doesn't it? If the paint is so environmentally friendly, and water based, why is there an environment stewardship charge on the container? Why is the container still supposed to be taken for hazardous disposal?
Refrigerators now might last for 10 years, whereas they used to last for 50. Which one is environmentally more friendly? Cars are becoming disposable as well. Is it about creating jobs, no matter how temporary, or are the programs you are buying into about saving the earth? Is is about constant growth, an unnatural concept, or is it about a better world for your children? It would be nice if both could occur simultaneously, but so far the two concepts clash.
Keurig machines create plastic waste by the moment. Check it out folks, there is no recycling symbol on the bottom of those containers your favourite concentrated bevvy comes in. Even plastics that are marked recyclable are not processed. Many recycling centres cannot deal with the diversity of plastics created by industry, so a lot of things that are collected and transported to recycling centres are then rediverted to landfill.
The need for big oil will NOT go away with driving less, taking public transit, and shifting to electricity as a heating and industrial energy source. Our society is addicted to plastic. Plastic does NOT grow on trees. Because I like my hormones to stay where they are supposed to be, I switched to almost exclusively glass some time ago. I won't buy a lot of foods because they are packaged in plastic. Plastic is bad for me, and bad for the entire world...glass, on the other hand, is made from sand, a copious resource which does not require mining. Sure, it is heavier than plastic, but it can (and should) be used again and again. It doesn't break down into components that pollute your food. But, again, I digress...
People need to stop lying to themselves, and counting on everyone else to do the difficult things. Make a commitment to mindful environmental protection. It has to be part of the individual psyche before government and business can make a difference.
Critical thinking and participation required.!