Jane, a good question. How about all of that fosil fuel burned to light lights and power cars on shopping trips?

So here is my question: How do we talk about Global Warming with those who believe it is about “blaming” the U.S.A. and therefore fundamentally an attack on America the Good which can do no wrong? Or who believe that Global Warming is perverse attack on Capitalism?

If you believe both of these propositions, it is easy to understand your oppostion to “Global Warming”.

Your thoughts?

I think a main problem is the widespread view that being environmentally conscious has to be an annoyance, and that it is mutually exclusive with enjoying oneself. For example, if the wrapping paper was made from post-consumer waste, and the tape was biodegradable, you would be using fewer resources and then could recycle it easily. If we make all aspects of our consumption less damaging to our environment (which in many cases we know how to do), we can greatly reduce our ecological and environmental footprint.

Education! It is incredible how little people understand about waste management; what happens to it, where it goes, the effects of dumping grounds and incinerators. The impact of tossing that ‘insignificant’ and small bottle, can or wrapper on the street ‘v’ the benefits of recycling and up-cycling. Education…

“I find most people think that Christmas is the time to have a holiday from responsible choices for our environment.”
Gee, that is depressing. I think that idea that people look at recycling or environment awareness as a downer, drudge, responsibility is sad. It is just not that hard to be a little bit aware. Nobody said sit in the dark wearing a burlap bag and eating sawdust.
You can choose responsible packaging on items you get at the grocery store, or you can buy from bins and put oatmeal, etc. in plastic bags and then into attractive containers at home.

You can reuse wrapping paper and have gifts and packages look really lovely and not like a wrinkled mess.

You can turn off lights or tv when you leave a room. Come on!
We have got so much stuff and so many resources in this nation that watching what you do, just being a tiny bit more conscious of your choices, won’t feel like any kind of hardship. You’ll be making a contribution to your society and it won’t be that hard….