How Green Are You?
05-05-12, 10:18 AM
#51
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This attitude should become the 11th commandment. Forget being "green". It's one of those terms that we shape to mean whatever we want. Just stop wasting things that are hard to come by.
05-05-12, 11:14 AM
#52
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Harken back to the old Earth Day mantra..."Think Globally, Act Locally" if everybody did the world would be a much nicer place...
Aaron
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-06-12, 09:56 PM
#53
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One of the lowest carbon footprint cities in the US is New York. Its citizens quite often don't consider themselves green or make any attempt at being green. They don't drive cars cause it's too expensive to park and public transit and walkable local shopping is very convenient. They live in very heat-efficient housing with a lower square footage than the North American norm. But most of them don't consider themselves "green".
On the other hand, many people applaud themselves for having energy efficient cars and living in large single family housing with a ton of "green" upgrades. Quite often these lovely houses are situated very far from local shopping and the workplace.
I applaud people who voluntarily ride their bicycle a lot and try to cut back on their meat intake but our society needs to have a pricing/tax structure that builds "greenness" in.
Ps. I'm growing to dislike the word "green" and also the word "sustainable". What exactly do they mean?
On the other hand, many people applaud themselves for having energy efficient cars and living in large single family housing with a ton of "green" upgrades. Quite often these lovely houses are situated very far from local shopping and the workplace.
I applaud people who voluntarily ride their bicycle a lot and try to cut back on their meat intake but our society needs to have a pricing/tax structure that builds "greenness" in.
Ps. I'm growing to dislike the word "green" and also the word "sustainable". What exactly do they mean?
Too be very honest, we are not GREEN, in the least although we get "accused" all the time, "because we ride bicycles" rather than own a car!
We live in a one bedroom apt. so we don't use a much utilities as a "house owner", we bicycle, use the city bus, (runs on propane), we don't recycle but give all our alum. cans to a guy who normally digs them out of the trash. I like "pavement" over dirt so that, I'm sure makes the GREEN folks hate me. We don't have a car cause we want a LIFE and our car expenses were, SUCKING the life out of our meager finances and making us feel TRAPPED. LOL, the other day, I was in a conversation and some lady was "bragging" about how GREEN she was cause see drove a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I told her, hey my hybrid is WAY greener than yours, of course it's a bicycle!
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05-06-12, 11:20 PM
#54
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Too be very honest, we are not GREEN, in the least although we get "accused" all the time, "because we ride bicycles" rather than own a car! We live in a one bedroom apt. so we don't use a much utilities as a "house owner", we bicycle, use the city bus, (runs on propane), we don't recycle but give all our alum. cans to a guy who normally digs them out of the trash.I like "pavement" over dirt so that, I'm sure makes the GREEN folks hate me. We don't have a car cause we want a LIFE and our car expenses were, SUCKING the life out of our meager finances and making us feel TRAPPED. LOL, the other day, I was in a conversation and some lady was "bragging" about how GREEN she was cause see drove a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I told her, hey my hybrid is WAY greener than yours, of course it's a bicycle!
We live in a one bedroom apt. so we don't use a much utilities as a "house owner", we bicycle, use the city bus, (runs on propane), we don't recycle but give all our alum. cans to a guy who normally digs them out of the trash.I like "pavement" over dirt so that, I'm sure makes the GREEN folks hate me. We don't have a car cause we want a LIFE and our car expenses were, SUCKING the life out of our meager finances and making us feel TRAPPED. LOL, the other day, I was in a conversation and some lady was "bragging" about how GREEN she was cause see drove a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I told her, hey my hybrid is WAY greener than yours, of course it's a bicycle!
05-07-12, 06:06 AM
#55
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I suppose the ultimate greenness would be to use your money to purchase property with a building on it, then tear it down and put vegetation on it. Who's doing that?
Do we think our species is more valuable than planet Earth? Some people with no love of the environment do, though I don't believe they've even considered the question. I think we should love each equally.
I wonder if humanity will ever stop acting like bacteria. Will we grow and grow until we've used all of the planets resources and then die out because we can't survive without them? We'll have that answer in about twenty years. By then we'll know how the environmental movement has fared.
Do we think our species is more valuable than planet Earth? Some people with no love of the environment do, though I don't believe they've even considered the question. I think we should love each equally.
I wonder if humanity will ever stop acting like bacteria. Will we grow and grow until we've used all of the planets resources and then die out because we can't survive without them? We'll have that answer in about twenty years. By then we'll know how the environmental movement has fared.
05-07-12, 05:07 PM
#56
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How sad! You seem to think that trying to tread lightly and making an effort to leave the next generation with an environment that supports life (that's what being green means to me) is something to be ashamed of--an accusation you must defend yourself against. If someone called me green, I'd be flattered.
YMMV. Have a most excellent day!
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05-08-12, 11:10 AM
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Now I'm wondering how green us singletons really are - wouldn't having two people (or more) to a single dwelling be more efficient than people living separately?
That's one green step I'll never make unless I'm forced into it. I like my space too much.
That's one green step I'll never make unless I'm forced into it. I like my space too much.
05-08-12, 05:41 PM
#60
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05-08-12, 09:19 PM
#61
In the right lane
Not sure how you got the "opinion" you did out of what I wrote?? I actually admire those that go out of their way to help the environment, we do what we can, just stated, that next to some, we are really NOT GREEN per say. Sorry I'm a realist and not much of dreamer, I guess that's what folks like you are for, keep on doing what you do, maybe us old dogs will learn new tricks! YMMV. Have a most excellent day!
YMMV. Have a most excellent day! How sad! You seem to think that trying to tread lightly and making an effort to leave the next generation with an environment that supports life (that's what being green means to me) is something to be ashamed of--an accusation you must defend yourself against. If someone called me green, I'd be flattered.
05-08-12, 10:00 PM
#62
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I'm not at all green, just terribly cheap.
I use a reel mower on grass I rarely water and never fertilize. I have a large garden (from seeds) where half my yard was. I haven't bought meat or chicken in 15 years. I keep the thermostat at 50 all winter and have a hole in the wall where the air conditioner I never used was. the lights in the daytime is called sun. at night I use my bike light to get around the house and the laptop makes enough light to type with, barely. and I haven't driven a car since I realized how small the world really is. of coarse I have to pinch pennies because I spent waaaaaay to much money on my carbon footprint bike and carbon footprint accessories.
I use a reel mower on grass I rarely water and never fertilize. I have a large garden (from seeds) where half my yard was. I haven't bought meat or chicken in 15 years. I keep the thermostat at 50 all winter and have a hole in the wall where the air conditioner I never used was. the lights in the daytime is called sun. at night I use my bike light to get around the house and the laptop makes enough light to type with, barely. and I haven't driven a car since I realized how small the world really is. of coarse I have to pinch pennies because I spent waaaaaay to much money on my carbon footprint bike and carbon footprint accessories.
05-08-12, 10:56 PM
#63
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It sounds to me like he's stereotyping us greens, making it seem like we're all fanatics who are unwilling to make any sort of compromise. Who's against paved roads?
It's amazing to me how many folks are running away from the "green" label: I do this and that and the other thing, but don't call me green. I'm not one of THEM! This happens every time this topic comes up, and I'm sure it has to do with a negative image of environmentalists created by the American corporate media.
It's amazing to me how many folks are running away from the "green" label: I do this and that and the other thing, but don't call me green. I'm not one of THEM! This happens every time this topic comes up, and I'm sure it has to do with a negative image of environmentalists created by the American corporate media.
Last edited by Ekdog; 05-08-12 at 11:01 PM.
05-09-12, 06:08 AM
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Surely the more people living in the same dwelling the more efficient it is. One person living in a small dwelling could be as energy efficient as a larger shared dwelling. It would probably need to be a tiny house like the Tumbleweed Tiny House company makes.
I've heard some of those tiny home owners proclaim that their monthly heating bill in winter is about $6. That is much less than my $200 energy bill for a winter month. If I spend $36 for my energy bill in the summer, without air conditioning, then I would need twenty-seven roommates to equal the savings of living in a tiny house.
I've heard some of those tiny home owners proclaim that their monthly heating bill in winter is about $6. That is much less than my $200 energy bill for a winter month. If I spend $36 for my energy bill in the summer, without air conditioning, then I would need twenty-seven roommates to equal the savings of living in a tiny house.
05-09-12, 06:29 AM
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A small lakeside cabin on the lines of a Tumbleweed house is my dream home. Less time to vacuum=more time riding!
05-09-12, 12:00 PM
#67
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[QUOTE=Ekdog;14198979 Who's against paved roads[/QUOTE]
People with Fargos.
Actually I saw a bumper sticker on the huge panniers on an old BMW dual sport motorcycle, an R100GSPD. "Paved roads. Another example of wasted taxpayer dollars."
I thought it was funny.
People with Fargos.
Actually I saw a bumper sticker on the huge panniers on an old BMW dual sport motorcycle, an R100GSPD. "Paved roads. Another example of wasted taxpayer dollars."
I thought it was funny.
05-09-12, 02:31 PM
#68
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I detest housework, cleaning toilets tops the list...I would still have an outhouse...if I wasn't married. 
That thing was great, you just filled the hole in with the dirt from the new one and moved the shack over. 
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
05-09-12, 06:33 PM
#69
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A four season RV could also be used as a home if you own land in a city that doesn't prohibit such things.
I want to move to Los Angeles and live in an RV. I keep reading stories of how that city's police department hassles RV dwellers. They fine them $320 if they are caught sleeping or even appearing to live in their vehicles. They even confiscate them. If I create a stealthy RV that looks like a work truck or trailer I'll avoid imperial entanglements.
It is sad because RV dwellers probably use far fewer resources than house or apartment dwellers. They certainly live in fewer square feet with fewer possessions. Yesterday I came across a blog of a woman who is a writer for travel magazines. She lives in a teardrop trailer that is pulled behind her Subaru wagon. Those are small. She loves it. Here is video of some examples of teardrop trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efM28JoRNW8
I want to move to Los Angeles and live in an RV. I keep reading stories of how that city's police department hassles RV dwellers. They fine them $320 if they are caught sleeping or even appearing to live in their vehicles. They even confiscate them. If I create a stealthy RV that looks like a work truck or trailer I'll avoid imperial entanglements.
It is sad because RV dwellers probably use far fewer resources than house or apartment dwellers. They certainly live in fewer square feet with fewer possessions. Yesterday I came across a blog of a woman who is a writer for travel magazines. She lives in a teardrop trailer that is pulled behind her Subaru wagon. Those are small. She loves it. Here is video of some examples of teardrop trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efM28JoRNW8
05-10-12, 12:00 AM
#70
Senior Member
I live a "green" lifestyle, but it is inadvertent. I don't have a car because I don't have a place to park it. I separate my trash for recycling because the carting company won't pick it up if it is not. I built my home a few years ago to be energy self-sufficient, and it is 100% solar powered. I built it this way not out of environmental consideration, but because I have had my electrical service interrupted in the past due to storms or other reasons.
I kind of laugh when I read about people avoiding beef because of methane emissions. It is true that methane is a greenhouse gas, but it is less widely known that atmospheric levels of methane have been steadily decreasing since accurate measurements began being taken in 1980. During this same period, the numbers of cattle have increased. No one really knows why methane is decreasing, perhaps it is being burned up in the millions of internal combustion engines in use around the world.
Anyway, living green is often more convenient than the alternative, or is the only alternative in some places.
I kind of laugh when I read about people avoiding beef because of methane emissions. It is true that methane is a greenhouse gas, but it is less widely known that atmospheric levels of methane have been steadily decreasing since accurate measurements began being taken in 1980. During this same period, the numbers of cattle have increased. No one really knows why methane is decreasing, perhaps it is being burned up in the millions of internal combustion engines in use around the world.
Anyway, living green is often more convenient than the alternative, or is the only alternative in some places.
05-10-12, 08:45 PM
#71
In the right lane
I kind of laugh when I read about people avoiding beef because of methane emissions. It is true that methane is a greenhouse gas, but it is less widely known that atmospheric levels of methane have been steadily decreasing since accurate measurements began being taken in 1980. During this same period, the numbers of cattle have increased. No one really knows why methane is decreasing, perhaps it is being burned up in the millions of internal combustion engines in use around the world.
05-10-12, 09:08 PM
#72
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yes, grown up Harry Potter and I are intrigued by the loss of methane. perhaps reduced volcanic input?
05-11-12, 06:02 PM
#73
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05-14-12, 09:53 AM
#74
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I would like to consider myself green and always looking to become mote green that is one of the reasons I live bikes so much.
05-14-12, 01:00 PM
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Ooooh, can I troll?
I'm BROWN :gasp:
- I have a wife
- I plan on having kids (1 on the way)
- I eat lots of meat (mmm yummy)
- I don't recycle everything
- I have a house with a parking spot
- I only have one bike. My wife has two, so I guess she's less brown than me
- I plan on buying a truck in the future (I can taste the earth's tears, they taste yummy, just like meat)
Oh man, now that I got that outta the way, I guess I'm a little green:
- I'm growing veggies in my garden (3 beds, 8'x8')
- I bike to work occasionally (100mi/week, 6 months out of the year)
- I drive a fuel efficient car
- I have only one car (shared with my wife)
- I consume mostly pastured meat, pastured eggs, raw milk (in other words, not factory farmed)
- I also fish and hunt occasionally
Can I have a sticker now?
I'm BROWN :gasp:
- I have a wife
- I plan on having kids (1 on the way)
- I eat lots of meat (mmm yummy)
- I don't recycle everything
- I have a house with a parking spot
- I only have one bike. My wife has two, so I guess she's less brown than me
- I plan on buying a truck in the future (I can taste the earth's tears, they taste yummy, just like meat)
Oh man, now that I got that outta the way, I guess I'm a little green:
- I'm growing veggies in my garden (3 beds, 8'x8')
- I bike to work occasionally (100mi/week, 6 months out of the year)
- I drive a fuel efficient car
- I have only one car (shared with my wife)
- I consume mostly pastured meat, pastured eggs, raw milk (in other words, not factory farmed)
- I also fish and hunt occasionally
Can I have a sticker now?