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| Yes | 79% | 324 votes | Total: 408 votes | |
| No | 21% | 84 votes |
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Add to FavoritesIn the 50's there was no worry about clean water or air. We took it for granted. There was no oil crisis and no food shortages. We were oblivious to what was slowly happening to our environment. Today we must face what we have done and ask ourselves, "Is the current green wave' good for the environment?" and "How did this happen?"
It happened because we were not wise enough to follow the old maxim of waste not-want not.' We wasted and squandered our resources as we fought our way up the ladder to success and each generation has had to deal with the mess left by the one that preceded it.
We see now, because it cannot be ignored, what we have done. It isn't too late to reverse most of it, but some of the damage can never be undone. Each year there are more plants and wildlife added to the endangered or extinct lists. Do we, as humans, want to end up on one of these lists? It can happen if we do not change.
There is no time like now, to start rethinking how we live and how we use what we have. Now is the time to get on board and make your actions match your beliefs. Now is the time to do all you can to leave as little trace of your passing here as possible.
There are many reasons to be a naysayer and do nothing. However, the naysayer has never contributed one useful thing to our world. Yes, there have been false starts and misinformation to confuse us and make us want to throw in the towel.
Yes, there are those who jump on their soapboxes and tell us we must conserve our resources and then drive away in the biggest, baddest SUV on the market, or fly away on chartered jets.
Yes, some have no clue about living green and have no interest in learning. They will never pitch in and do their share until they are forced by the outcry of concerned citizens everywhere. So, should we all just not try until they do their part? Will this get done what needs to be done now? Can the environment wait?
There are those who contradict green movements such as using cloth diapers instead of disposable one. These activists tell us that the laundry aids we use do more damage to the rivers and soil than the manufacturing and use of disposables. However, they don't mention the new earth friendly laundry aids or how many trees it will take to keep a baby in diapers. Nor do they mention the toxic chemicals in the diapers we put next to our baby's skin.
There are those who trot off to the grocery store with their "green" shopping bags, but never give a thought to what they put in them. Produce grown half way around the world uses fuel and causes pollution. Meats and dairy products, from huge farms who use toxic chemicals as pesticides on the food they feed their livestock, are not green foods.
There are even those who moan that one person cannot make much of a difference. However, to them I would say that Jesus was just one person, Mahatma Gandhi was just one person, so were Lech Walesa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Golda Meir, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Sometimes it only takes one person to start a movement. You can be that person.
So, is it hopeless? Is there no right way to be green? Yes, there is! Join the green wave that is sweeping the world and educate yourself about what works and what doesn't. Take the time to do simple things in your everyday life to recycle, renew and reuse. Rethink the things you do and find a better, greener way.
Encourage others to join you and spread the word. Refuse to give up just because you see no one else doing it. Be the first! Then when someone asks you, "Is the current green wave good for the environment?" you can give them a definite "yes" and all the reasons why.
Learn more about this author, Pamela Kay.
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No
Across the world almost every country is trying to ride the green wave. Environmentalists are springing up from the earth like weeds with one mission. Save the earth! These environmental prophets or saviors are either politicians or some entrepreneur who has found a fast and easy way to make millions of dollars. Their major concerns are how many trees can be saved by going green and how little carbon dioxide can be let loose in the atmosphere if there are less cars on the roads. These are great things to consider but how many of these jokers are really going to give up their luxurious vehicles and take a bus where they have to physically rub themselves on other people, some of whom might not have taken a shower for a couple of days?
Oh, these hypocrites! They are quick to take a hit at the middle and lower class people in society. They are ever so eager to blame India, China and third world countries for the world's environmental problems while they cannot convince their own countries about what is environmentally right or wrong. These so called educated people are so eager to support the environmentally friendly vehicles which are very expensive for the average consumer. The reality is that the record now shows that the major auto manufacturers in North America are on the brink of bankruptcy because they have failed to meet several challenges. They failed to manage their finances, failed to be environmentally friendly and failed to produce vehicles that are more affordable.
Observe carefully what has happened, no pressure was ever placed on these manufacturers to be more environmentally friendly. However, as soon as the government has to bail them out from their financial troubles, suddenly there is more talk of these losers making something that is more environmentally friendly. It matters not what is done the environment is going to be polluted in some way or the other. This is a reality as long as politicians continues to pass laws that effects the ordinary common person while it allows the huge businesses to get away with what is considered to be good business sense.
It is a great idea that everyone makes a genuine effort to keep the environment clean. It is even a better idea if all this green talk can make a vital change in the world but this can only be a reality if everyone does their part. To make life difficult for the common man and create major profits for certain businesses is not fair and is destined to be met with failure. To be discomforted by the thought that generations to come will be affected by the mess the present generation leaves behind is a reality that they would have to face. The governments of the present generation is too busy blaming other countries for the mess that they are making in their own countries and are not willing to do their best to clean up.
Learn more about this author, Bhadase Maharaj.
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