Too Much to Ask?

Is it really too much to ask of my friends to actually care about what they're doing to the environment? I'm not telling them to only buy organic foods and clothing or drive a hybrid. I don't even do those things, except for occasionally buying organic when it's not too expensive. They act like it's so hard to recycle because they have to walk or take the elevator downstairs to the recycling room. This is just the epitome of laziness. My friend who is living with me in an apartment next year asked if she had to recycle. Of course, she does. I will do it for her if she really can't handle taking the extra seconds to put items in the recycling bin. Smoking is by the far the worst of my friends' habits because after they're done with their cigarettes, they just throw the butts wherever they please. This really bothers me because all of those cigarette butts eventually find their way onto beaches and into the ocean. I cleaned a beach in Dorchester last September, and it was both amazing and appalling to see what kind of things people just leave behind without a care in the world. I wonder where this mentality came from. Society is perpetuating a cycle of laziness, which will eventually catch up with us and then people will finally realize how stupid their behavior has been all these years.

Red Tape

The slow rate at which environmental policy is improved is certainly disheartening. There's an overwhelming amount of bureaucracy to go through. For the Environmental Protection Act to consider an endangered or threatened species, it must first be ranked. If two species have the same ranking, the species selected is the one that poses no conflict with development plans. Most of the time, the top ranked species has the support of special interest groups. Of course this process takes years to complete. It's appalling that after the Deepwater Horizon Spill, BP is asking to continue drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. BP can only drill at existing wells, but the damage to the Gulf of Mexico is still not fully known. I think it's too soon, but as long as there's a demand for oil, the environment will take a back seat. At least regulators will force BP to meet new safety requirements. If only more people understood that the environment's fate is tied with ours. Will we ever find the balance between preserving the economy and saving the environment? 

Water Drama

In my environmental analysis and policy class last week, my professor told us about an effort he's supporting to remove bottled water from the geography department’s lounges. This got me thinking the whole university should stop selling and distributing bottled water. It saves money and reduces emissions. Reusable water bottles should be offered everywhere instead. There are plenty of water fountains around campus. Of course, water bottles should still be sold in convenient stores, but it would be great if the university could push the issue of bottled water harder. The only thing stopping such a movement is people’s resistance to change and ignorance. Most people think that bottled water is healthier and cleaner than tap water. When in reality, it’s less regulated. I don’t know why it’s too hard for people to buy a reusable water bottle. I think it’s much more convenient and saves me a lot of money. Why wouldn’t everyone do it?  It’s just silly how people resist even the simplest change. 

The Green Craze

Everyone may not believe that climate change is real, but America has certainly turned going green into a profitable trend. Celebrities are photographed with fashionable reusable shopping bags, recycled clothing, and the latest fuel efficient cars. I can't say that I haven't been seduced by green marketing, but it's disappointing that that's the only way to get the public's attention or at the very least, younger generations. Companies and organizations are really taking advantage of this trend, which means higher costs for those who want to try to make a difference. Many people are not going to choose green products because they're typically more expensive. I don't mind paying more, but then again, it's not my money. It seems counter intuitive to introduce environmentally friendly products that are supposed to help save the world when no one is going to buy them. Being environmentally conscious has become a luxury these days rather than a responsible choice. What really drives me crazy is that a lot of people I know simply don't care and choose not to buy green products that they could afford. They won't take a few extra minutes to recycle rather than throw paper and plastic in the trash. They won't take shorter showers, stop buying bottled water, or unplug cords they aren't using. I guess in some sense, it's good that going green has become a trend because then really no one would care.