The Great Green Juxtaposition
As it’s my first post here I thought I’d head straight into a rant. Why not?
I’m a bit advocate of doing little things in your life to become green. I have done bigger things like giving up the car, but small things like using recycled toilet paper etc is all well and good. However there are some things that I can’t work out whether the change I’m making is really doing that much good. Can trying to be green actually be worse for the planet?
For example, if I download a film rather than buying one I’ve saved the production of the disc, the packaging, the delivery etc. But then what about the eight hours I’ve had the computer on downloading it and watching it? Then I might burn it to disc anyway. Is the energy used downloading it less than making it? What if everyone did it, the national grid can hardly cope with people putting on the kettle in the break in Coronation Street, nevermind on the day of release for the latest blockbuster.
At work we recycle paper. But the oversized bins that we put the paper in are made from plastic and so are the recycling sacks inside them. And on top of our normal refuse collection, someone comes in a diesel van and picks up all the paper and card.
And what about a wind-up radio? It saves on batteries/electricity but it’s made out of plastic.
And then there’s the other way round. My flat is damp so occasionally I forget about the environment as a whole and think about my localised environment and put the dehumidifier on. That’s bad right? But the water it collects waters the plants so is that okay to use it? I’m using electricity but saving water.
I originally had a point but it’s become lost a bit, and I think that’s what I’m talking about - people can become confused about what to do for the best. But sites like this one, Life Goggles which I write for and the other editor’s sites (see right) can help you muddle through.
