Another climate change thread. I'm not convinced that small personal changes to our lifestyles on a global scale can prevent catastrophic global warming. I think people are vastly overestimating what can be done, and don't fully appreciate the way western culture and infrastructure makes it impossible to achieve meaningful change that way. I also don't see enough people making voluntary changes to make a difference. But. I'm aware that isn't a good excuse for not acting. It would be great if we can save the world that way, and maybe I'm wrong. And of course it will never happen if people refuse to change because no one else will. On that note, what kind of things do you do to help protect the environment? And what changes could you make? I: -am vegan -recycle -barely use my bedroom light -decided to forgo driving and use the train instead -get a bunch of my veg from a local farm I could: -use my bike more -turn my damn laptop off at night -use less electricity
Good: -Eat mostly vegetarian. -Separate waste. -Walk mostly, bicycle for longer trips and use public transport for anything >1 hour. -Don't have pets. Bad: -Take long showers.
Good: - vegetarian - switch off unnecessary lights (in the whole goddamn house!) - go by bus Bad: - using electricity (tv, pc....)
I recycle, compost, collect rainwater, never fill kettles, opt out of paper statements, sponsor tree planting schemes, grow wild/meadow flowers (for the bees), grow my own vegetables, take quick showers, iron clothes infrequently, use washing lines as much as possible. I very rarely use a printer as I hand write or use an old, but very faithful manual typewriter. I drive a small, economical car but take the train over longer distances. I would like solar panels for electricity, but the angles of our roof don't make it possible. I could switch appliances off standby or lead a simpler life with fewer appliances. I could also adopt a vegetarian diet.
I recycle, and try to use "green"/environmentally-friendly items when possible. I'm also a stickler about turning off lights when one leaves a room.
I leave all lights and TV off when not in use I shave with some water in the basin and not leaving it running I recycle I buy local produce and meat My apartment complex and portion of my town is powered by wind I could... become vegetarian not be as wasteful with food
Good: -If I'm not using something, I turn it off. -I take quick showers. -On my days off, I ride my bike or walk to get places. I can't ride to work because the town I work in and the town I live in are separated by a bridge that you're not allowed to cycle/walk over since it's part of a freeway. -I encourage people to ride bikes as well, although, honestly, it's not working as well as I'd hoped. -My husband and I both recycle, especially aluminum, which is a non-renewable resource. I also like to recycle the receipt printer paper at work since I swear the printer says it's empty and still has like 40 feet of paper left in it, which just pisses me off to no end. -I do most of my shopping at second-hand stores instead of buying new, with a few exceptions. -If I'm not using something anymore, I'll try to find something else to do with it besides throw it away, whether it's donating it to a second-hand store or upcycling it. -I buy from businesses and companies that support environmental causes whenever possible. BUT.... -I smoke.... -....littler.... -....use air conditioning religiously.... -....and don't eat the way I should. I do plan on moving to an area where I can ride my bike to work though, but it's mainly because cars are expensive, and I am pretty terrified of driving.
