So, we all know “Being Green” is the in thing these days. Seems like every business under the sun is doing some marketing to let consumers know that they’re ‘green.’ And we individually are jumping on board as well, in ways we can prove our greeness. Honda had a hybrid car out for a while that didn’t sell well at all, the reason, it didn’t look distinct (like a Prius). You see, people who drive hybrid’s want you to know they are driving a hybrid. A lot of what we do, quite honestly, is to bolster our own image. Going Green is often more about me, then the earth.
And because it’s more about me and my image, consumerism continues to thrive. Everyone who wants to be ‘green’ goes out and by reusable grocery bags. We find out plastic is bad so everyone buys stainless steal water bottles. We buy organic, new t-shirts with catchy slogans on them. And sometimes we make drastic changes and change the location we buy coffee at to the local organic shop rather then the big box. But, in all of this, we are continuing to buy, buy and buy some more. We are buying new things that still need to be manufactured, shipped, packaged and sold, when we might not have needed to buy anything at all. We have not changed our consumption habits, simply tailored them to a specific style, a ‘green’ style (which doesn’t seem any better at times then someone whose style is that they enjoy the color pink).
I’m not trying to be overly critical (Though maybe I am), I just think we need a challenge to the ‘green’ trends we are seeing everywhere. And here is my challenge. If your desire to Go Green is really about the earth and not about you, then band your altruism and energy conservation together and help your neighbor at the same time as you help the planet. Instead of spending thousands on a hybrid, which is better for the environment, but not necessarily ton’s better (for the cost) then your current car (unless it’s an SUV, then maybe), try this experiment.
From what I’ve heard, CFL bulbs are pretty much the most cost-efficient, energy-saving switch a person can make. They not only save you money in the short run (electric bills) and the long-run (bulb replacement), but I think per dollar spent they have one of the biggest energy savings/conservations (sorry I don’t have a stat to link to), and everyone needs light bulbs. So, buy a bunch of CFL bulbs in bulk (ebay is good for this). Put them all in a little red wagon and go walking down your street. Knock on your neighbors door and offer to trade them three cfl’s for three of their incandescent bulbs (You can use them for the few places you can’t switch to cfl, or let them keep them, or try these). If that seems like too much work, you can send me some money via paypal and I’ll do it in my own neighborhood. It’s a much better use of your ‘green’ dollars then some of the more consumeristic trendy ‘green’ decisions.
But buying lots of “green” stuff is good for the economy!!
So is buying tapioca pudding!
The thing I’ve been trying to weigh in my head is the balance between buying new energy saving bulbs and throwing away perfectly good bulbs.
Does it make sense to replace something that already exists and works with something else? Yes, CFL bulbs save energy, but we actually can make more energy. Perhaps donating the working bulb to a shelter would be wise?
I also get irritated that most CFL bulbs are packaged in plastic versus incandescent bulbs which are packaged in paper boxes. And CFL’s contain mercury, so they cannot be thrown away; they must be “disposed” of properly. I think you can do this at IKEA?
Many of them are not dimmable, so it’s important to check that out before buying. I think there are a few that are. Dimming lights is a way to save energy, so if that’s important to you make sure to inspect the package.
I’ve heard good things about LED bulbs, but I believe the only way to get them is to order them from the internet.
Jamie, your right on. I’m definitely a fan of keeping and using incandescent bulbs, which is why I suggesting keeping for areas you can’t use cfls (dimmed lights, sometimes outdoor ones, etc).
Ariah,
Good post. I agree, we can buy all the green stuff we want but if our heats do not change it is all for not.
“The truth of Christianity is only truth if it transforms you into a new person.”
-Kierkegaard