How do you help to save the planet?

[iroast]

Recycle whatever I can.

If dog's gift is a tiny pile, i leave it to nature instead of wasting a plastic bag that would otherwise take many years to degrade.

When buying clothes, I ask them not to wrap them in useless paper wrapping.

When buying fast food, I ask them not to bag the item(s) if I can handle them with 2 hands.

I take navy showers.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I ensure that the gasoline I used is used to power cars that are fun to drive, and that I derive enjoyment and satisfaction out of its use rather than being miserly and "saving" gasoline by driving a soul-less econobox that I despise.

I also use compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

ZV

I can't say that using CFL is green. CFLs contain mercury, which as I'm sure you know, is disastrous on the environment. When you throw a CFL away, it most likely ends up broken and in a landfill. That mercury accumulates and leeches into ground water, poisoning everything in its path. Until there are controlled CFL disposal methods, their benefits are questionable.

Less electricity or more mercury?

That's a ridiculous argument. The amount of mercury in CFL's is quite low. The amount of mercury released into the atmosphere by the coal burning power plants in order to keep your incandescent lightbulb running is far greater than the amount that's released by your CFL if you decide to break it.

 

[ITJunkie]

by limiting myself to 2 offspring. Seriously, overpopulation is the biggest threat to our survival in my opinion.

 

[Crucial]

Can't say that I do much.

I can't stand cfl's and refuse to use them.
I tend to throw recyclables into the trash can.
I have multiple computers that run all day and night.
I drive a full size pickup truck(at least it has a v6)
My favorite hobby is riding ATV's. We drive a suburban loaded with ATV's 2.5-3 hours one way and tear up the trails for 2 days at a time.
I prefer 2 cycle lawnmowers and snow blowers

I do turn off the lights when someone isn't in the room and I turn off the water when I brush my teeth. We also respect the trail markings and don't ride off trail and don't leave any garbage behind when we ride. So that helps.

 

[Yreka]

I refrain from kicking smug Prius owners in the beanbag.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie
I actually try to be as green as possible, well, to the extent that it doesn't force me into major changes of lifestyle.

And therein lies the truth. We are willing to make small changes as long as we don't sacrifice our comfortable, material-driven lifestyle.

Sure, I'm guilty of not making larger lifestyle changes, but at least I'm aware of how my lifestyle affects the planet. You can't know what to change until you know what you're actually doing. For example, I took the quiz at Earth Day Network and got 5.7 hectares as my ecological footprint (sustainable level = 1.8, Canadian avg = 8.8). If someone finds a more detailed calculator, post a link.

As far as what I'm doing to help, I eat local produce as much as possible, cut down on meat, and commute to work on the bus. I recycle a lot of plastic/metal/glass and I cut down on what I buy. I only drive about 5,000 km per year.

 

[PingSpike]

I started burning my trash, instead of filling landfills up with it. I also started dumping my used motor oil in the lake, instead on my neighbors lawn.

 

[Rustler]

Actually thrid world countries do more harm to the enviroment, beacause they don't have the techologies to clean up their mess. China on the other hand just dosen't care how much they pollute or how many people in their country or outside are affected. I personally don't buy the global warming scam. I do however believe that you shouldn't crap where you eat.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: TheNewbie
Though I guess this subject has already been throughly discussed here, I feel its important enough to bring it to focus again.
Beside all the latest weather feaknesses, and the Al Gore campaign got me worried to the point where I actually try to be as green as possible, well, to the extent that it doesn't force me into major changes of lifestyle.
I saw this commercial with the livestock farting and then they say it ruins the ozone layer and that was really sick, but it made me think...
How are you helping out in the effort or why aren't you?

I'm eating the cows... but i'm only one man...

 

[zerocool1]

i recycle. i'm vegetarian. i don't drive unless it is more than 3/4 of a mile or i'm carrying a bunch of stuff. cfls. lcd monitor. hibernate my laptop. i control how paper i use.
my eco footprint is 15.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

 

[DrPizza]

That quiz on Earth Day Network... lmao
I filled it out and used data for an Amish family up the road. Damn those Amish! They're ruining the planet! We need 1.8 planets to sustain them.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

Wasn't there a study that proved that second hand smoke caused more cancer then first hand smoke? And people wonder why I don't take these studies to seriously. I'm not saying smoking doesn't cause cancer...just that most people seem a little to eager to be terrified of everything.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

Wasn't there a study that proved that second hand smoke caused more cancer then first hand smoke? And people wonder why I don't take these studies to seriously. I'm not saying smoking doesn't cause cancer...just that most people seem a little to eager to be terrified of everything.

As I said, the general public is clueless. One of my undergraduate professors (with two Ph.D.s, one in Chemistry and one in Environmental Engineering) would agree with me whole heartedly. The amount of mercury in your house if you break a CFL is higher than the atmospheric mercury, even right next to a plant. The mercury that spills in your house or subliminates into the air stays in your house. The concentration will be much, much higher than outside for a long time. You want to sleep in those conditions?

As for second hand smoke, you are dead wrong. Exposure to second hand smoke increases the chance of cancer by 30% to 40% if consistently exposed to it over just a few years. Sidestream smoke (the smoke off a burning cigarette) is worse than mainstream smoke (the smoke inhaled through a filter). I am not saying that second hand smoking is worse than actually smoking, because it isn't, but I am saying that second hand smoke is potentially deadly.

Indoor air pollution is a huge problem, and ignorance on your part is not healthy.

And yes, if drinking the Kool-Aid allows me to live a longer and healthier life, then so be it. I'll take Fruit Punch.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
I'm actually captain planet. I like to keep it on the DL though.

Captain Planet!!!!!!!

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I ensure that the gasoline I used is used to power cars that are fun to drive, and that I derive enjoyment and satisfaction out of its use rather than being miserly and "saving" gasoline by driving a soul-less econobox that I despise.

I also use compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

ZV

I can't say that using CFL is green. CFLs contain mercury, which as I'm sure you know, is disastrous on the environment. When you throw a CFL away, it most likely ends up broken and in a landfill. That mercury accumulates and leeches into ground water, poisoning everything in its path. Until there are controlled CFL disposal methods, their benefits are questionable.

Less electricity or more mercury?

That's a ridiculous argument. The amount of mercury in CFL's is quite low. The amount of mercury released into the atmosphere by the coal burning power plants in order to keep your incandescent lightbulb running is far greater than the amount that's released by your CFL if you decide to break it.

You are smarter than that DrPizza. I suggest that you read up on the various toxins before calling me out. Part of my Architectural Engineering degree concentrated on environmental considerations, including environmental chemistry.

It is all about the location of the mercury and the local concentration. The amount of mercury in a CFL or two spilled in your house is far worse than the amount of mercury immediately surrounding a plant.

And honestly, I couldn't care less if you don't agree with me or if anyone else doesn't agree with me. Ignorance is bliss, as I have said. If you think what you are doing is healthy, and you live a good life, then so be it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

Wasn't there a study that proved that second hand smoke caused more cancer then first hand smoke? And people wonder why I don't take these studies to seriously. I'm not saying smoking doesn't cause cancer...just that most people seem a little to eager to be terrified of everything.

As I said, the general public is clueless. One of my undergraduate professors (with two Ph.D.s, one in Chemistry and one in Environmental Engineering) would agree with me whole heartedly. The amount of mercury in your house if you break a CFL is higher than the atmospheric mercury, even right next to a plant. The mercury that spills in your house or subliminates into the air stays in your house. The concentration will be much, much higher than outside for a long time. You want to sleep in those conditions?

As for second hand smoke, you are dead wrong. Exposure to second hand smoke increases the chance of cancer by 30% to 40% if consistently exposed to it over just a few years. Sidestream smoke (the smoke off a burning cigarette) is worse than mainstream smoke (the smoke inhaled through a filter). I am not saying that second hand smoking is worse than actually smoking, because it isn't, but I am saying that second hand smoke is potentially deadly.

Indoor air pollution is a huge problem, and ignorance on your part is not healthy.

And yes, if drinking the Kool-Aid allows me to live a longer and healthier life, then so be it. I'll take Fruit Punch.

"Higher than atmospheric" levels of mercury still aren't necessarily dangerous levels. It's an excellent scare tactic, but it doesn't prove a damn thing.

Yes, if you sit in a smoke-filled bar every day for a year, it's bad for you. If you have dinner once a month in a restaurant where someone smokes, it's not going to have any meaningful difference in your life.

It's in concentration and frequency of exposure. Little tiny things like the mercury in a CFL or walking past a smoker outside aren't real risks.

Oxygen and water are potentially deadly too. So are certain fat-soluble vitamins.

You go ahead and waste your life worrying over every little inconsequential "potentially dangerous" thing. I'll spend my time enjoying myself.

Besides, cycling, especially on the road, is far more potentially lethal than the mercury in a CFL or second hand smoke. Same with riding in a car. Are you going to give those up too because they're potentially deadly?

ZV

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Safeway
You are smarter than that DrPizza. I suggest that you read up on the various toxins before calling me out. Part of my Architectural Engineering degree concentrated on environmental considerations, including environmental chemistry.

It is all about the location of the mercury and the local concentration. The amount of mercury in a CFL or two spilled in your house is far worse than the amount of mercury immediately surrounding a plant.

And honestly, I couldn't care less if you don't agree with me or if anyone else doesn't agree with me. Ignorance is bliss, as I have said. If you think what you are doing is healthy, and you live a good life, then so be it.

EPA says:
"Approximately 75 tons of mercury are found in the coal delivered to power plants each year and about two thirds of this mercury is emitted to the air, resulting in about 50 tons being emitted annually."
Link


"CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing ? an
average of 5 milligrams ? about the amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen."
PDF Link


Tons of airborne mercury or milligrams of it.
You're unlikely to ever be exposed to the mercury in a CFL. If you live next to a coal plant, you have the privilege of breathing it in day after day.

DrPizza, any additional commentary? Or was mine sufficient?

 

[jjones]

I can't say I'm doing anything at the moment, but I figure that some day I'll be pushing up daisies. That's got to count for something.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Safeway
You are smarter than that DrPizza. I suggest that you read up on the various toxins before calling me out. Part of my Architectural Engineering degree concentrated on environmental considerations, including environmental chemistry.

It is all about the location of the mercury and the local concentration. The amount of mercury in a CFL or two spilled in your house is far worse than the amount of mercury immediately surrounding a plant.

And honestly, I couldn't care less if you don't agree with me or if anyone else doesn't agree with me. Ignorance is bliss, as I have said. If you think what you are doing is healthy, and you live a good life, then so be it.

EPA says:
"Approximately 75 tons of mercury are found in the coal delivered to power plants each year and about two thirds of this mercury is emitted to the air, resulting in about 50 tons being emitted annually."
Link


"CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing ? an
average of 5 milligrams ? about the amount that would cover the tip of a ball-point pen."
PDF Link


Tons of airborne mercury or milligrams of it.
You're unlikely to ever be exposed to the mercury in a CFL. If you live next to a coal plant, you have the privilege of breathing it in day after day.

DrPizza, any additional commentary? Or was mine sufficient?

You just proved that you know nothing about environmental chemistry. It is not about the mass of mercury, it is about the concentration per m^3 air or some similar unit. It is more concentrated indoors if a CFL is broken.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Safeway
You just proved that you know nothing about environmental chemistry. It is not about the mass of mercury, it is about the concentration per m^3 air or some similar unit. It is more concentrated indoors if a CFL is broken.

The important quantity is:

(Mass) * (Exposure length) * (Probability of exposure) / (Volume).

Of course, you choose to ignore two of the important variables. So, no useful conversation can ever form from this topic.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

Wasn't there a study that proved that second hand smoke caused more cancer then first hand smoke? And people wonder why I don't take these studies to seriously. I'm not saying smoking doesn't cause cancer...just that most people seem a little to eager to be terrified of everything.

As I said, the general public is clueless. One of my undergraduate professors (with two Ph.D.s, one in Chemistry and one in Environmental Engineering) would agree with me whole heartedly. The amount of mercury in your house if you break a CFL is higher than the atmospheric mercury, even right next to a plant. The mercury that spills in your house or subliminates into the air stays in your house. The concentration will be much, much higher than outside for a long time. You want to sleep in those conditions?

As for second hand smoke, you are dead wrong. Exposure to second hand smoke increases the chance of cancer by 30% to 40% if consistently exposed to it over just a few years. Sidestream smoke (the smoke off a burning cigarette) is worse than mainstream smoke (the smoke inhaled through a filter). I am not saying that second hand smoking is worse than actually smoking, because it isn't, but I am saying that second hand smoke is potentially deadly.

Indoor air pollution is a huge problem, and ignorance on your part is not healthy.

And yes, if drinking the Kool-Aid allows me to live a longer and healthier life, then so be it. I'll take Fruit Punch.

"Higher than atmospheric" levels of mercury still aren't necessarily dangerous levels. It's an excellent scare tactic, but it doesn't prove a damn thing.

Yes, if you sit in a smoke-filled bar every day for a year, it's bad for you. If you have dinner once a month in a restaurant where someone smokes, it's not going to have any meaningful difference in your life.

It's in concentration and frequency of exposure. Little tiny things like the mercury in a CFL or walking past a smoker outside aren't real risks.

Oxygen and water are potentially deadly too. So are certain fat-soluble vitamins.

You go ahead and waste your life worrying over every little inconsequential "potentially dangerous" thing. I'll spend my time enjoying myself.

Besides, cycling, especially on the road, is far more potentially lethal than the mercury in a CFL or second hand smoke. Same with riding in a car. Are you going to give those up too because they're potentially deadly?

ZV

I never said that I don't use CFLs (I do) or that I am willing to sacrifice everything to minimize my health risks. And yes, I do bike every day on surface roads.

I am merely saying that before you start making unfounded and unscientific statements, you should better know your stuff.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Safeway
Second hand smoke is a huge health risk. For you, ignorance is bliss.

If you inhale it straight from the lit end of the cigarette in concentrated form. By the time it's been diluted by the air in a room it's essentially innocuous. Feel free to continue drinking the nanny-state Kool-Aid though.

ZV

Wasn't there a study that proved that second hand smoke caused more cancer then first hand smoke? And people wonder why I don't take these studies to seriously. I'm not saying smoking doesn't cause cancer...just that most people seem a little to eager to be terrified of everything.

As I said, the general public is clueless. One of my undergraduate professors (with two Ph.D.s, one in Chemistry and one in Environmental Engineering) would agree with me whole heartedly. The amount of mercury in your house if you break a CFL is higher than the atmospheric mercury, even right next to a plant. The mercury that spills in your house or subliminates into the air stays in your house. The concentration will be much, much higher than outside for a long time. You want to sleep in those conditions?

As for second hand smoke, you are dead wrong. Exposure to second hand smoke increases the chance of cancer by 30% to 40% if consistently exposed to it over just a few years. Sidestream smoke (the smoke off a burning cigarette) is worse than mainstream smoke (the smoke inhaled through a filter). I am not saying that second hand smoking is worse than actually smoking, because it isn't, but I am saying that second hand smoke is potentially deadly.

Indoor air pollution is a huge problem, and ignorance on your part is not healthy.

And yes, if drinking the Kool-Aid allows me to live a longer and healthier life, then so be it. I'll take Fruit Punch.

Thanks for posting credible sources!

Did you just make up those percentages or is there data you can show to back up your point?

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: Safeway
You just proved that you know nothing about environmental chemistry. It is not about the mass of mercury, it is about the concentration per m^3 air or some similar unit. It is more concentrated indoors if a CFL is broken.

The important quantity is:

(Mass) * (Exposure length) * (Probability of exposure) / (Volume).

Of course, you choose to ignore two of the important variables. So, no useful conversation can ever form from this topic.

Did you just look that up in a book little guy? As I have said, you aren't going to tell me anything I don't know. I have taken several courses on environmental engineering.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Did you just make up those percentages or is there data you can show to back up your point?

No actually. Good job going along with the status quo that indoor air pollution is not a problem. There's no point in continuing this line of conversation. No amount of qualified research will sway your ignorant views.