Earth Day 2011. Are we as green as we think we are?In April 1970, I was privileged to participate in the very first Earth Day activities. A group from our high school cleaned up a section of a local creek and restored it to its natural condition.

We even made the six o’clock news, which was quite an accomplishment in those dark days of the war in Viet Nam and its associated protest movement.

Environmental awareness was in its infancy, but the national grass roots movement made it an instant priority. It was time to clean up America.

In the year 2011, we like to think of ourselves as environmentally responsible. And while we may separate our aluminum cans and glass bottles, both of which are relatively inert, we actually produce more potentially toxic refuse than ever.

The number of electronic devices, plastic water bottles, lawn and yard chemicals, and the use of insecticides and pesticides have grown exponentially since we became “environmentally aware.”

Personal automobiles got bigger and bigger as did houses, increasing the demand for fossil fuels to propel and heat and cool them.

We talk a good talk. But now, FORTY-ONE years after the first Earth Day, it’s time to walk the walk and get real.

Follow Me on Twitter Follow Me on Facebook Lets get Linkedin My Outside Blog Watch my Videos on YouTube


We Need Listings! Call 770-827-6225

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate Better Homes and Gardens Metro Brokers, Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required. Visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. North Georgia Photos.

 

North Georgia Photos

 
Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: Diary of a Realtor
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!

30 Comments on Earth Day 2011. Are we as green as we think we are?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

APR
22
2011
306,031 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard - thanks for promoting responsibility. I like to think I have always done my bit ~ could do more. I don't relate to poisons just to promote green lawns (I react with alergy type symptoms). Dandelions might just be all the Spring color at the moment anyway.
9:08am • #11
1,152,940 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard, the toughest part of the battle is getting people to be aware, and that was done. It will take time, and we in the US are probably the worst offenders, but eventually we will become more responsible.
9:25am • #12
741,859 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard,

It seems like "Green" turned into a marketing ploy rather than a goal.

I see Energystar-rated homes with amazing lack of attention to detail.

But, when you meet someone who is truly trying to live "green," the sacrifices many have made that put them outside mainstream American live are impressive.
9:58am • #13
800,696 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard, We have been building greener homes using Geo-Thermo technology...but it adds 25% to the cost of the home...and a used car with a 6 or 8 cylinder engine is cheaper to buy than a new Fancy hybred. We have to reward the use of eco-friendly technology for people to see their way clear to use it. Or mandate buildings and auto designs to force it.
10:04am • #14
1,053,789 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Being GREEN is something that I strive to be as much as possible...it takes attention and time...
10:04am • #15
811,790 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard, remember the Whole Earth Catalog? I loved that thing, loved it. I spent hours pouring over it. There were so many ideas in there for a more responsible life style... and I agree, we have not gotten more responsible, not at all.

I would still love to live off the grid, smaller, more self reliant. There is still time, isn't there?
11:18am • #16
125,466 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master
You bring up a great point, ignorance is no longer an excuse, we all must do our part
7:35pm • #17
1,418,158 Points 52 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Still a very long way to go to get to 'green.' There was a neighborhood built in Henderson a couple of years ago that was all solar with other environmentally-friendly design elements, but it never really caught on. People seem deterred by the initial up front expense.
7:37pm • #18
1,389,865 Points 27 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master

Richard, we have a long way to go to be truly green.  The effort is worthwhile.  Results will be a long time in coming.
8:19pm • #19
1,115,020 Points 101 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I could do more, but there are things I do that I balked at as a kid, but now embrace for lots of reasons.... gardening, composting, putting up my own food, rain water capture, but you are so right I could do so much more.
9:07pm • #20
1,401,389 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard...we are not as green as we thing.  I just oprdered my new wood boiler EPA approved.  I am also loooking into a wind generator. 
9:20pm • #21
250,339 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Congrats on the feature ... well deserved in recognition of such an important day.  We all need to become and embrace being Green and looking to our wise purchases and use of things to be environmentally aware and friendly.
11:26pm • #22
APR
23
2011
Attended Rain Camp

It will all come to pass Richard.  Progress too often is predicated on immediate rather than long-term results.  Thank you.
12:30am • #23
299,908 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Thanks for the pushy reminder. We need it and people need to be told candidly that it all has not been enough Do More! I compost, have a garden and will be pulling out more grass and going toward native plants and drought tolerant plants. I can do more!
12:39am • #24
547,329 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard:

The 80's and 90's were high consumption years.  We seems to have taken a step back from those times to a time when we are more conscious of the environment and toll we are taking on the planet.  There are many things we could do to reduce the toxic producing containers.  We just need the will to demand change in packaging.   
2:24am • #25
Localism Sponsor

Thanks Richard

Progress takes time as we know, and, it is not always consistent. Congratulations on the feature.  Thanks Marie for directing me to this thoughtful post.
4:13am • #26
794,214 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes, we have been given the right and responsibility to care for the earth.
4:45am • #27
795,716 Points 80 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard, i do my best...no more plastic bottles that can't be recycled are foremost on my list, buying local, growing local & not driving in the 'usual' v8 realtor car but gas efficient...wish i could solar but just not worth it yet...this day passes by all too quickly!
7:21am • #28
154,095 Points

Richard, I am going to be remodeling my office over the summer and I keep coming back to the idea of being greener. But I don't know what I can do to enact environmentally friendly changes without having substantially additional costs. I don't know how deep your knowledge is on this subject, but if you have ideas please share so that I can make some sort of difference. Thanks.
8:00am • #29
958,577 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good points Richard. I have so many chargers and cords for all of my devices that I am not helping out the earth, but what do I do? I need them all.
9:10am • #30

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All


What does the graphic say?
Leave a response…

(optional)
Spam Prevention:
 
Richard001lrg Ambassador_large

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Coweta Newnan Homes for Sale

Newnan, GA

More about me…

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

Address: 209 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan, GA, 30265

Office Phone: (770) 827-6225

Cell Phone: (770) 827-6225

Email Me

Author Bio: Richard Weisser is a Georgia real estate broker, licensed auctioneer, a candidate for GA House District 71 and has been writing about Georgia Real Estate since 1999.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate offers opinions and helpful information to consumers and real estate professionals in the Coweta County Georgia area.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate allows you to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with NO registration required!

Twitter cowetafayette


Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

Find GA real estate agents and Newnan real estate on ActiveRain.