Saving The Environment. Are We Just Lost In The Smog?

Posted on October 9 · Comments

Changing our lives and lifestyles for the environment is all the buzz at the moment.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for it. I think we need to make some serious changes.

But…

Are we going the right way about it?

I was reading a blog post recently that among other things, encouraged the use of CFL light bulbs. Like most people, I have heard how these light bulbs save on carbon emissions, save us money and save the environment – so we switched.

But more recently I have read in a few places how these same light bulbs will cause more environmental damage in the upcoming years than old style bulbs due to their mercury content leaking into the soil and the underlying water table after disposal. Is this true? I don’t know. Probably not. But it’s something that needs to be considered.

Are we making things worse in our efforts to “be good”? Do we need to drop the “what’s in it for me?” mentality? Is there a better way? Can we come up with better alternatives?

Another example to consider is the supermarket “green” bag. Thousands of people all around the country are feeling all warm and fuzzy for doing their bit for the environment. And good on them too for making that choice! We need to do something.

But…these “green” bags are made of plastic. A plastic that takes longer to break down than the old style grocery bags. Have we just substituted one bad idea for another?

It’s difficult, but I think it’s wise that we consider the consequences before jumping on any old bandwagon. I admit, I’m somewhat anti-establishment. I’m naturally suspicious of government or big business propaganda machines (even my word choice is biased! ). It doesn’t mean that these changes or their opposition are necessarily bad, it just means that we should consider all the options and consequences as best we can instead of blindly believing everything we read and hear.

One of the biggest political decisions that our country faces at the moment is the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme. Very briefly and simplistically put, the ETS is about putting a price on our carbon pollution, mostly produced by the energy industry. Here is our chance to consider the possible consequences before a decision is made.

You’ve got to give good ‘ol Kev points for trying. He’s working towards something positive – the question is, is it the right way?

Major criticisms of the ETS include: that it’s too soft on business (the Greens); it’s too hard on business (the Liberals), any tax on carbon emissions will be passed onto the consumer (you and I) on almost every product that we buy including food; that it wont reduce carbon emissions as evidenced in Norway; that Australia’s carbon emission is so tiny compared to other countries like the US and China that it won’t make an iota of difference.

I don’t have any answers, but you might. Or someone you know. We don’t have to wait for the authorities to ok change. Any average person may hold the key or part of it to solving some of our biggest problems. It’s important to take the time to consider the pros and cons of the decisions we make, because the person who is tomorrow’s leader and instigates great change may be you.

Have you read these posts?