It's Too Easy Being Green
Picture:
This graphic mocks all the "green" people out there.
Summary:
In this article, It's Too Easy Being Green by David Owen; Mr. Owen talks about the consumers that consider themselves green by self-deception. For example in 2010 he took a ride in his friends new Ford Fusion, a gas electric hybrid which gets more miles per the gallon then comparable cars with conventional engines. "His dashboard fuel gauge filled with images of intertwining green foliage, a symbolic representation of the environmental benefits we were apparently dispensing from the tailpipe as we aimlessly drove around." Similar to many concerned Americans he falls victim to the Prius Fallacy: "a belief that switching to an ostensibly more benign form of consumption turns consumption itself into a boon for the environment"
We're all consumers at heart says Owens, so why can't we solve all our problems with consumption? But the challenge arises when consumption its self is the problem, with a long list of environmental challenges and the only solutions made are either irrelevant or make the problem worse. "That's the conundrum facing anyone who yearns for "'sustainability."'
We're all consumers at heart says Owens, so why can't we solve all our problems with consumption? But the challenge arises when consumption its self is the problem, with a long list of environmental challenges and the only solutions made are either irrelevant or make the problem worse. "That's the conundrum facing anyone who yearns for "'sustainability."'
Opinion/Reflection:
I laughed at this article when i read it! It is so true, I find it hilarious how stupid people can be. When i found this article i knew i needed to share it. I wish people could see the errors in their ways. You buy a environmentally "friendly" product does not mean it is still not harming the environment, for example hybrids they are still putting out emissions. Or you buy a build a pool, and put in a solar powered water heater. Look at you saving the earth! They have good intentions but ultimately we will all wait for the scientists and politicians to carry out the solutions to our environmental problems.
Questions:
- What is the Prius Fallacy?
- In the article he mentions that, "our efforts are often at cross-purposes with our goals." What is he saying?
- What is your opinion on this self deceiving consumption?
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an interesting topic. I would say that I often fall into this category of thinking that I am saving the environment by using just one environmentally friendly machine. It is very funny to think that we think that we are not causing any harm by using solar panels or electric cars. Yes, they are better than huge Hummers that just drink gas, but electric cars still give off emissions. I am not saying that we should not work towards being friendlier to the environment, but we should not just use one eco-friendly solar panel and think that we are saving the world.
Expansion:
For my expansion, I will answer one of Calum's questions. The Prius Fallacy, according to the article, is a belief that switching to an ostensibly more benign form of consumption turns consumption itself into a boon for the environment.
As i was reading this artical i was starting to think, about how people now and days are really trying to protect the envirement. I noticed how people are doing amazeing things like getting their school involved. I now know how much a challange it is to really help the evirement. I believe that we can start helpning the envirement by maybe everyone useing less electricity and other things that could help save the world
ReplyDelete