Question: Are we doing less for the environment even though we know more?
By Nanette99
@Nanette99 (219)
Canada
July 26, 2007 2:47pm CST
I read an interview with an environmentalist today; He believes that people have more awareness and knowledge than ever before about environmental issues, yet we are doing less to fix things than we ever have before.
3 responses
@Mikaela_taz25 (1842)
• Philippines
13 Oct 08
Yes, I agree with that. not just environmentalist but some other individuals are mostly aware with the environment now. but you can't blame if they are doing less. i mean, people may not have the knowledge or step no how to start..
@Nanette99 (219)
• Canada
13 Oct 08
That is true that people need to become more educated, but with all of the resources out there, whose responsibility is it to educate? The government, big business, and/or the individual? People know something should be done right? If they want to learn what to do, I think the info is there for them. They just have to put the effort into finding the info.
@myhllim (272)
• Malaysia
13 Oct 08
Yes, agreed. I'm sure most of us are aware on the right things to do for our environment, but when come to action, we might get lazy, having a perception that our small effort won't help much, so it is OK for us not to do it in the right way. A simple example is plastic bag usage. It is still very common in most of the countries to use plastic bag although we understand the how harmful it is to mother of nature. Luckily, I've started to make a move, e.g:seggregate the garbage into different categories for recycle purposes. Hopefully, more and more people will think "every big improvement starts with small effort from me" in saving our earth. Cheers!
@Nanette99 (219)
• Canada
13 Oct 08
The plastic bags are a perfect example. Our government has not banned their usage but some government run operations, like the LCBO (Liqu0r Control Board of Ontario) has stopped using them. I personally make the effort and have started to carry a cloth bag in my purse. Sometimes, I forget to ring extras, though and I purchase too much groceries and end up coming home with a plastic bag.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
26 Jul 07
I do agree with that. Now it's all about convenience and what is the cheapest. Except in the long run, the environmentally friendly things really are the cheapest...in terms of the impact on the earth AND our pockets. Our gas situation alone says a lot yet the other night I drove 20 miles (in a rural area) and I did not see one single car, only trucks, vans and SUV's. Granted all we have is a van and a truck ourselves. And why are we still driving these gas guzzlers? Because even though we know they get bad gas mileage it's cheaper, short term, than buying a car that we won't be able to drive during the winter. The environmentally friendly thing to do would be to get the car and just limit our winter driving but that would be "inconvenient".
@Nanette99 (219)
• Canada
27 Jul 07
you're right, it always seems to boil down to convenience. I think that for people sucha as yourself, who live in rural areas, the car situation can be really difficult. I am sure you do your part in other ways, though.
I do think that a lot of people are doing more. Just not everyone, which can be really discouraging for those whom are are trying. Even baby steps can reduce a carbon footprint.
