I assume OP hates the green label because it's the refuge of hypocrites. Fakers with Prius cars and cloth shopping bags buying over-priced products at the co-op are not green, they're fools with more money than sense.

For crying out loud! Did bother doing anything but read that article and deciding it suited your viewpoint and thus, must be right?

The article on Jupiter mentions "Red Spot Junior" further research finds that astronomers say the increase in redness probably has nothing to do with increase in temperature at that spot.

From the item on Triton.

"The moon is approaching an extreme southern summer, a season that occurs every few hundred years. During this special time, the moon's southern hemisphere receives more direct sunlight. The equivalent on Earth would be having the sun directly overhead at noon north of Lake Superior during a northern summer."

From the item on Pluto. ( This one's a doozy! )

Jay Pasachoff, an astronomy professor at Williams College, said that Pluto's global warming was "likely not connected with that of the Earth. The major way they could be connected is if the warming was caused by a large increase in sunlight. But the solar constant--the amount of sunlight received each second--is carefully monitored by spacecraft, and we know the sun's output is much too steady to be changing the temperature of Pluto."

Global Climate change is not, yet, totally proven. The evidence has got so strong, however, that to say it is impossible is ridiculous. I didn't start riding for green reasons, I started for my health. I still drive occasionally, ( don't own a car ) but stepping outside the whole car ownership thing, has given me a clearer perspective on the costs, hidden and direct, to individuals and the world at large.

I hate it when people argue just for argument's sake. Just sayin.

I think we can agree that people making false assumptions about your values can be annoying.

About the whole "green" thing. I started commuting back in the 80's before I'd ever heard of global warming. I did hear on a newscast about how much gas could be saved if everyone one were to find a different way to get to work 1 day a week. It was a huge number and that had something to do with why I started.

It's worth remembering that back in the 70's and into the 80's saving gas was more a of National Security thing than a green thing. The federal and state governments reduced freeway speed limits to 55, implemented some limited rationing and other stuff far more draconian than we see from the government now. And it was the Republicans in charge back in the mid 70's. We were afraid that if the supply of foreign oil were cut off it could impact our ability to fight a large scale war. Since then a strategic oil reserve has been created and maintained.

It seems I've lived my whole life under the threat of one doomsday scenario or another. Whether it's nuclear annihilation, Y2K, global warming, peak oil, or world wide economic collapse. So I am a little skeptical about some of the more dire predictions related to global warming. I do believe it's real and the impacts for some people will be severe. I think that humanity will go on and that some changes will be necessary.

Y2K is probably a good example. The dire predictions didn't pan out but it's worth noting that a lot of money was spent averting tragedy. Along with that, the economy didn't crumble and companies weathered the storm in spite of having to spend money on upgrading computers and software. Actually, the economy was booming. Likewise, retooling businesses and homes to run greener doesn't necessarily they're going to go broke.

not to mention that electrics and hybrids can be some of the most dangerous cars for bikes because you can't hear them coming at low speeds.

You'll note that by my "calculations", I saved 0.23 gallons by not driving and wasted 0.13 gallons by forcing people to pass. Its the calculation that was a waste of time, because it went against my initial argument.

OK, I didn't get that fully. I still think 0.13 gallons is an overestimate.

This "green" debate cannot be settled on BF for obvious reasons. So let's look at it from a different frame of reference. A certain percentage of the population (it does not matter what that percentage is at this point) believes that being "green" is important with the other percentage believing that it is not important or a fad. Of course this equation is based on a common definition of "green". Pop quiz: What is the definition of "green" as used on this thread?

Let's say 60% of the population believes that "green" is important and 40% do not. These are not researched percentages but only used for the purpose of illustration, although legislatively speaking, the percentages are significant (filibuster). I am going to venture to say that cyclists fit within the same percentages as the general population.

So once again I will say that cycling to me is fun, great exercise and unintended, coming in third as icing on the cake, is the "green" thing, however is it defined.

Now excuse me as I need to install lights on my bike for tomorrow morning's commute.

It's not proven for those planets which is the same with earth. Can't see the irony? Read about Al Gore and the hoax that shows it's all for political intentions.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I read that in an article somewhere. It was mentioned as an aside but a quick search should produce something. I should explain that its not the amount of food that solely increases the footprint. It is everything that comes with higher intake. Growth, harvest, production, transportation, etc. All these combined are what is said to cause it to become moot.

Secondly, I never said I believed in the statistic. I was merely mentioning it as a bit of information I had come across. Not throwing my opinion for or against, just relaying it so one can make their own decision.

Third, once again, I dont say it because I believe it. I say it because it is fun to burst a person's bubble after hearing something for the umpteenth time. "Look at this guy, he is all for the green movement." "Well some studies say it is all moot." "Oh, guess he isnt." Thats all its about, just a bit of fun. Something more fun to say than, "Yeah I do it because it keeps me healthy." et al.

I like BF but I get tired at how seriously some people take things here. Arguments are started over the smallest things and comments are taken out of context. I suppose I should start drawing pictures with all my posts that way my ideas are COMPLETELY conveyed. Or include an annotation at the bottom*

*All that was included in this comment was meant to be read with a light-hearted demeanor. If at any point I offended anyone or presented an idea that is contradictory to what they hold to be true please consider this post to be a joke. For the sake of keeping the post free of unnecessary clutter, please reconsider any "correction" to this comment you may or may not feel compelled to post.

I do believe I have found my signature.

My favorite was the study suggesting that any carbon emissions saved by cycling are more than offset by the added life expectancy of cyclists (live longer, emit more co2)

Is BF the only forum you visit?!? Ever been on gaming, computer, paintball, car, <insert whatever here> forum? BF is relatively mild compared to some carnage that goes on on other forums. Even A&S is a walk in the park compared to some of them :D

It's also unrealistic for short trips; I get about 300 miles per tank on open roads, but I can't make 100 3 mile trips on a tank of gas because of all the time spent starting the car, idling, accelerating, etc. My gas mileage for my commute is about a third of what it is on the highway.

So let's set an age limit for cyclists. What, 70, 75. While we are at it, why no limit everybody's age. No only will co2 emissions be reduced but think of the savings in Social Security, Medicare, etc. Any volunteers?

Tattoo your belief on your calves. The more you ride, the bigger your message will get.

Being assumed to be green is a compliment. This shouldn't be difficult to fathom.
I like being the recipient of "green" comments, whether I'm on a bicycle or a Vespa. It's true: I'm one of them!

Those are idiots or trolls or both.

I love the comment about how many think that someone rides a bike due to the fact that they have too low of an income to drive. I don't understand the 18-22 year olds at my work who drive to work and have barely enough money to drive it to work. What is the point of working just so one can drive a car?

Whenever people at my work ask why I don't drive a car I explain to them that $650 a month is much better than $125 a month and driving :-D.

How about this: Grow a garden of only 12 square feet and include two chickens within the space. You will offset your carbon burden on the earth by doing so, year after year... plus earn fresh vegetables and eggs for your bother.

Ah, if it were so simple.

Preach it. I started biking because I didn't have a choice. Buying a car as a foreigner in Japan is complicated and I could barely order take out when I got here. But now that I have both the money and the language ability to go buy a car I don't want to. I can get anywhere I need to on my bike and it is just way more fun.

Cooperate America wants people to think that ANY activity that can be definted as "fun" MUST involve tons of mindless spending.

I visit other forums but BF is one of a very small handful I attempt participation in.

Personally I think saying, "Hey man, we fight much less than other guys so you really shouldn't complain about that" is being part of the problem, not the solution. Its like saying, "I only cheated on my wife once. This other guy I know cheated with 3 different women and even has a secret family, so Im not that bad."*

corperate america has made biking as expensive as you want to make it :-D.

That reminds me of this song...

If riding bikes is green, I don't wanna be red
I'd rather be caught pedaling on the street
Than sleeping in some other wifes bed!

Two of my bikes are green. My new pickup is kind of a teal. Just sayin. ;)

chicks - duh. :p

or noobs :innocent:

Cooperate America? Is that some lefty commie organization? :eek:

But that's assuming every car must slow at all, much less to 15mph, in order to pass. A lot of my commute is in a bike lane, with portions sharing a lane as well as taking the right lane of a multi-lane road. When on the multi-lane road, most drivers see me ahead of time and change lanes so they don't have to slow.

I think the difference is even more.

qft