How Many People Really Are Green ?
How Many People Really Are Green ?
Most people, when asked, say the care about the planet and are environmentally conscious - nowadays the majority are green and want to save the planet.
I’m an old cynic though and I think most people are only interested in themselves . . .
A wide-ranging survey released today shows that the number of people willing to change aspects of their lives in the hope of making a difference to global warming fell by around 10 per cent last year.
The inference is clear - it’s about money and if it’s about money then it’s not about the principal.
Solar panels are popping up all over in Lincolnshire but I wonder . . . how many of them are installed to save the planet and how many to save money !
There’s nothing wrong with doing these things to save money but don’t take the moral high ground and claim otherwise.
Wind farms are a prime example, landowners seeking permission for a wind turbine is nothing to do with renewable energy but the money they make from the National Grid !
Bigger used cars are collapsing in value whilst small ones are going up - people want more economical and greener transport.
Most simply want to save the money on petrol I believe - if they were rich they’d drive a Bentley !
I believe the majority of human beings are basically selfish, they do have time for others and other issues providing they don’t feel it impacts on them.
There are, of course, some genuinely dedicated people, as there are with all issues and causes, but I’d argue they are far less less statistics would suggest.
Ludicrous polls which ask questions like ‘are you interested in the future of the planet’ get responses like ‘yes, I am’
Well, what are they going to say, ‘No, I couldn’t care less as it’ll never affect me’ 
However, if you are i doubt as to whether it’s worth doing something to help the planet then take a look below.
An owl lives and hunts in a field and copse that have remained unmolested by man since Medieval times . . .
As always, opinions, suggestions and related thoughts very much welcomed.
Regards,
Rod
Veronica said,
January 27, 2012 @ 9:22 am
What an amazing photo Rod. I LOVE dusk . It is a beautiful time of day for colours and wildlife.
Regarding recycling, I went off that when I was working at home one day and saw all my bins of carefully sorted refuse …glass in one …..paper in another etc……… all going into the same refuse van . And yet we are fined if we put the wrong thing in the wrong bin. But it all goes in together anyway.
What I DO object to though is people who leave their rubbish , generally fast food packaging , all over the place , affecting the environment and wildlife.
Little Brother said,
January 27, 2012 @ 9:30 am
Rod,
Good points, it’s also fair to say that they cannot keep up with all that is being recycled either, I caught my waste collection executive (bin man in my day) tipping my household rubbish into my recycled goods because the amount was small and it saved them time.
One of my chefs has bought the smallest car you can get right now based on the much cheaper road tax incentive. He never mentioned pollution. So yes, conservation in disguise is still a good thing but don’t take the moral high ground when the cap doesn’t quite fit.
LB
Rod said,
January 27, 2012 @ 12:54 pm
Veronica,
I’ve seen the very same thing happen here with the recycle collection.
Littering drives me up the wall as well - I simply don’t understand the mentality.
Best
Rod
Rod said,
January 27, 2012 @ 12:59 pm
LB,
looks like there’s a theme developing here with waste disposal !
The weekly bin men here are fantastic it has to be said, always have been, they’re always willing to help people out and take things that are over and above the call of duty.
As to cars that’s the argument the greens favour of course, increased cost drives down demand - with motoring it helps the planet so obviously a bonus, the downside is they’re selling more V8 Range Rovers than ever whilst ordinary working people can no longer afford to drive . . .
Best
Rod
Kate said,
January 27, 2012 @ 3:46 pm
Veronica,
I’m behind you all the way over the objectionable nastiness of litter everywhere, people just don’t seem to care nowadays and casually toss their wrappings away where they stand or out of car windows. As a child in the 70s I remember all the litter campaigns and think they may have had more of an effect on my generation than anything aimed at younger people. I’d quite happily shoot anyone I caught as reasoning with them doesn’t seem to work - grrrr!
In the UK, Green lifestyles began to be followed in earnest in the 70s too, although at the time anyone who talked about green issues was thought of as a bit of a hippy with the accompanying vegetarianism, hand woven shirts and sandals. The concerns were taken far more seriously in other areas of Europe and became part of mainstream life and politics rather earlier than the UK. I seem to rember that Peak Oil, CO2 levels and other issues were an issue then as well as for those who could afford it, living a more sustainable lifestyle, often because it was simply considered healthier.
Being ‘Green’ is now mainstream and taught at school, but more than anything rather than climate issues and sustainability, for most individuals at the present time and financial climate, I feel that it’s a question of saving money. Many industries, certainly the building companies, now have ‘Sustainability’ within their core values, though I’ve yet to see how any new-build could possibly be carbon neutral, whatever they claim.
Besides private property owners and businesses, many councils are now building their social housing with PVs to take advantage of feed-in tariffs, solar water heating and ground source heat pumps or other forms of greener heating methods and retrtro-fitting existing properties. Whilst this may boost their green credentials, finance is a huge factor as they can take advantage of grants. There are actually huge concerns about the manufacturing processes and transportation of solar panels as they are made in China - how ‘Green’ are they really? I admit to being pro-wind energy, but it’s not really the most efficient form of renewable energy and yes, it can be very unpopular whether over to concerns over wildlife and the environment, or the underlying reasons that individuals and companies may actually have to erect turbines.
At the end of the day I feel it will come down to us learning not to consume so much, whether we like it or not. Until we do this there will continue to be more energy generating plants built, more power used and fuel used.
Kate