We're all responsible for protecting our environment
Posted: Sunday, January 04, 2009
Temperatures have plummeted, there's an unusual amount of snow on the ground, and part of me has forgotten what warmth feels like. So much for global warming, right? There are approximately six places across the continental U.S. that are "warm."
It's been debated for years whether or not global warming is a legitimate threat or about as real as, say, Santa Claus. Personally, I have no real scientific insight on the legitimacy of this phenomenon, but I do know a little bit about the environment and how we affect it. Whether or not global warming is actually happening, I think it's important for us to pay attention to our "carbon footprint." After all, I'm sure no one thinks we can take and take and take from the Earth without any consequences. Essentially, I think there are some things that we could and should be doing to reduce the negative effects of our materialistic lifestyles on the planet.
Aside from the obvious (recycling, disposing of trash properly, etc.) I think it's important that consumers look at the types of products they're buying and the companies those products come from. For example, computers have a lot of components that could be harmful to the environment if they're not recycled or disposed of in the correct way. Companies like Apple are producing notebooks that are now arsenic, mercury, bromine flame retardant (BFR), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free. The new MacBook line is now the world's greenest family of notebooks.
I'm aware that a Mac isn't right for everyone and neither is the pricetag, but there are PC companies which are also making some green efforts. It's certainly more responsible to purchase a computer that runs well without treading all over the environment. I can hear the argument now, though. “It's one computer, who cares what kind I buy?” This opinion is probably the most frustrating to hear when it's in regard to any aspect of caring for the environment, whether it be recycling or buying a car. The reality is, it does make a difference. True, it is one computer or one recyclable bottle you put in the trash. But when those bottles and toxic computer components pile up, we have a problem. And as soon as you have a problem, you have someone who creates an ominous word for it (i.e., global warming).
Really, what I'm trying to say is that we should look at the companies we buy our coffee, laptops, cars, etc., from. The planet is not a "lost cause," which is something I've heard far too often. We're living in an age full of technology which, when used responsibly, can help us live differently live better. That's my two cents on the environment issue. Look before you buy, waste and totally trash our environment, OK?
It's been debated for years whether or not global warming is a legitimate threat or about as real as, say, Santa Claus. Personally, I have no real scientific insight on the legitimacy of this phenomenon, but I do know a little bit about the environment and how we affect it. Whether or not global warming is actually happening, I think it's important for us to pay attention to our "carbon footprint." After all, I'm sure no one thinks we can take and take and take from the Earth without any consequences. Essentially, I think there are some things that we could and should be doing to reduce the negative effects of our materialistic lifestyles on the planet.
Aside from the obvious (recycling, disposing of trash properly, etc.) I think it's important that consumers look at the types of products they're buying and the companies those products come from. For example, computers have a lot of components that could be harmful to the environment if they're not recycled or disposed of in the correct way. Companies like Apple are producing notebooks that are now arsenic, mercury, bromine flame retardant (BFR), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free. The new MacBook line is now the world's greenest family of notebooks.
I'm aware that a Mac isn't right for everyone and neither is the pricetag, but there are PC companies which are also making some green efforts. It's certainly more responsible to purchase a computer that runs well without treading all over the environment. I can hear the argument now, though. “It's one computer, who cares what kind I buy?” This opinion is probably the most frustrating to hear when it's in regard to any aspect of caring for the environment, whether it be recycling or buying a car. The reality is, it does make a difference. True, it is one computer or one recyclable bottle you put in the trash. But when those bottles and toxic computer components pile up, we have a problem. And as soon as you have a problem, you have someone who creates an ominous word for it (i.e., global warming).
Really, what I'm trying to say is that we should look at the companies we buy our coffee, laptops, cars, etc., from. The planet is not a "lost cause," which is something I've heard far too often. We're living in an age full of technology which, when used responsibly, can help us live differently live better. That's my two cents on the environment issue. Look before you buy, waste and totally trash our environment, OK?
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UnCoGal wrote on Jan 14, 2009 11:25 AM:
bk wrote on Jan 9, 2009 10:23 PM:
Lance wrote on Jan 5, 2009 4:13 PM: