Environmental Disconnect

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Environmental Disconnect

Dating back for many years, just about every realm of Environmental issues have been a topic of debate. When you think about life several years ago, and still today in many countries throughout the world, we depended on the Earth to live. We farmed for food, went fishing for dinner, and we understood that water and other natural resources were limited and to be used as needed. Electricity and water were a luxury item.

Then with technology and new inventions coming out every day, we found out how neat it was to have cars that could take us anywhere, have appliances that ran off of electricity and gas and it seems we lost track of those luxury items. The luxury items of electricity, water and gas are now a necessity. Can you imagine ONE day without the 3 of these? I can't.

I was thinking today as I was driving, it seems as though there has been an Environmental Disconnect in people over the past several years. It seems as though a general care and concern for Conservation of natural resources, Preservation of land and overall Stewardship has "left the building". How is this impacting our society?

Jeff Geoghan made a comment on one of my posts the other day in regards to Global Warming, probably the most debated topic regarding the Environment and Earth as a whole. He mentioned that he thinks the debate of Global Warming has people leery of all Green and Environmental issues. I think that statement may have a lot of truth to it.

So then I wonder-do all of the debated topics of Global Warming, Hollywood recommending how many squares of toilet paper to use, and Al Gore pushing his movie for what some people believe to be politically motivated made some people become a Rebel and not want to hear about anything Environmental? Have Green and Environmental topics become the tag of Activists in a negative light instead of looking at the REAL reason why they should be heard and why they are important?

Now, with various types of renewable energy being a hot topic, we are seeing technology taking us a different direction. We are learning about how we can use what is Naturally given to us (sun, wind, etc.) and make us less dependent on these luxury items. Will all of the controversy and debate over environmental topics hurt the overall goal of Renewable Energy?

Maybe it is time that a different approach was taken in regards to Renewable Energy, Green Building, Rainforests, and others. Maybe while technology takes us to a level of being less dependent on fossil fuels, we should take this time to Reconnect our Environmental Disconnect. Let's remember what it is like to have locally grown fruits and vegetables. Let's remember that water and electricity are good, but also remember where we came from. Let's take a few minutes and think about how using what is free and natural just "makes sense".

What do you think? Do you think there has been an Environmental Disconnect? After all, Global Warming is not the only issue.

Posted by Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate on 10/06/2007 10:57 PM

Comments (25)

environmental disconnect, environmental debates, renewable energy, ecobroker houston

Originally posted at: Realtor ®-The Woodlands Real Estate : Environmental Disconnect

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25 Comments on Environmental Disconnect

OCT

2007

I think the public is being beaten over the head with environmental issues and some are tired of the "doomsday" stories that appear on every new channel daily. They are also feeling a little wary of all government regulations that are appearing in response to movies like Al Gore's, Hollywood, and the like. Many people do care, but they also want to go on living their lives in relative peace. Letting an issue like GW consume your life is just as unhealthy as the topic itself.

I believe it's the same for any subject that is up for debate.... people have their opinions but don't need to get mean about it. There are issues with the Superferry here... yes, there are things that the environmentalists want done (an assessment to see if it affects our whales etc.) although the activists literally went into the water with surfboards and boats.. to stop it from landing. They were kicking the tires of cars waiting and were vicious. That's really sad .... it's one thing to have a point of view..it's another to get violent and vicious towards others about it. In any case people are going to have their opinions and not everyone will agree.

Hi Jennifer, I understand...but do you feel there is an environmental disconnect in people?

Hi Sally, that is really sad. Wow. Do you feel there has been an environmental disconnect?

To me it is crazy that people would make statements like " I don't believe in Global Warming"! Like there is a question about whether it is happening or not? Would you consider that a disconnect Stephanie?

Hi Joanne, I almost didn't post this because I did not want to start a debate...heated anyways. I just think when it is put in to terms like 'disconnect' it makes us think about things other than global warming. It is not the only topic out there. I think it makes us think about our roots and everyrthing as a whole. That's all. :)

Hmmm, well, maybe not so much an Environmental Disconnect, but maybe an over-dependency on technology and mass production.

OCT

2007

It is a disconnect with communication in all people...this is not just about the environment. People in general have different views....some just don't care...some care more than others....some choose to be mean about it...in the case like I mentioned...it is sad period. When it gets into mean and violent behavior it is past any kind of disconnect. It has become out of control.

I see more builders and people here trying to go green. I think Hollywood has hurt the cause, first of all they fly private jets, drive big honking cars. The hyprocrisy is incredible. After awhile, I tune this out.

Hi Jennifer, I think the disconnect is directly related to the over dependency. IMO. Thanks for coming back!

Hey Sally, I agree with that too. Like many things, there will always be several sides. There are folks with genuine care, those that may take it too far, and then those that don't care...and so on. I love your quote, that's awesome!!

Hi Missy, I agree with the hypocrisy completely! Great!

Stephanie, The only approach that I can think of is to educate people and stop pointing fingers at each other. Unless we all take responsibility nothing is going to change.

Stephanie, what a good thinking post! Of course people have lost their focus on the environment. They're too busy trying to make money to stuff more gas into their gas guzzlers! They are so disconnected they can't see their vehicle is not only breaking their bank but also that of the environment. I do think its good that the "stars" bring this crisis to the attention of the world. Look at how many people watched Live Earth? Had it not been for them, probably millions of people would be unaware. Al Gore is another topic all together. The "rebels" know he won the election and are very defensive whenever his name comes up. Its the guilt factor. I hope he runs for president and wins and we can finally put this travesty to rest.

By the way, did you know that Chevy makes a vehicle that runs on a lithium battery and one that runs on hydrogen? I've seen two commercials for them today but have no details. I'd go for the hydrogen one because lithium probably is mined.

Terry - there is a really great article by Popular Mechanics about Hydrogen fuel and its potential use in vehicles and running energy in general. While it one day could be a great source of green energy, it still has to be made from sources that emit green house gases, ie natural gas and electrolysis. Take a look at it...once we can find a low cost way to create and distribute hydrogen in mass quantities, it could just be the perfect way to make energy without emitting green house gases.

I have a Chemistry degree so the hydrogen use has always interested me.

OCT

2007

Stephanie, you should get a big gold star for this article. Jennifer's comments are also spot-on. It's become clear that there is a backlash forming against the "green thinking" of the cultural elite. The legitimate controversy over the current warming phenomenon is washing over the rest of the sustainability movement. There are many, many private citizens who are visionaries and committing their ideas & resources to balancing the dependency on fossil fuel, electricity and water usage. Let's all agree that these worthy goals need more diligent attention and less "hype". You know, I think I'll post my own article on this. Good stuff!

I will come back in a little for everyone...but Jeff's comment caught my eye....I'll come back I promise..

Jeff, I was hoping that you would stop by and read this. :) Let me know when you post yours, I would love to read it. A friend of mine read this before I posted it and she is trying to convince me to send this in and try to get it published as an editorial or something....nah! :) Jennifer did bring up some great points...actually, the whole conversation is good. It shows what people are truly feeling about the topics and how there is frustration on all sides of the issue. I agree that less "hype" could help the movement tremendously.

Ok, I have to go to a meeting...I'll be back.

Stephanie - you do a great job of honing the issues down to what makes sense. I agree with your global disconnect theory. As a nation we are a very wasteful society and very short sighted as to what our actions will have on our environment. We are experiencing it now with results such as overflowing landfills, brown-outs and black-outs.

You mention, "Let's remember what it is like to have locally grown fruits and vegetables. Let's remember that water and electricity are good, but also remember where we came from. " I find it very hard to believe that with all the good crops grown in the state of Michigan what we get in our groceries during prime harvest seasons are imported from southern states, California and Mexico. That adds a lot of expense to the products in shipping, they are not as fresh, are picked under ripe so they are flavorless and yet the consumer keeps purchasing and propogates the practice.

Unfortunately, the activists who preach Global Warming are overshadowing the benefits of alternative energies and "green" living. I believe we need to separate the two. They both have their own attributes and we don't need to confuse the public by intermingling issues. Good article!

Hi Mana, I agree. I also think that the approach to educate may need to be changed a little bit...not so pushy. :)

Hi Terry, I got to see a Hydrogen Fuel Cell over the weekend at the Solar Tour. My daughter wants to make one as a Science Fair Project. :) That's funny. There was also a car there with some kind of $7500 battery in it...It gets over 100 miles per gallon.

It was a regular Hybrid converted..neat!

I have heard of the chevy, but I have not seen one.

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Thanks Mary! I actually stopped eating fruit for a long time because they have no flavor anymore. I also hate going in to the grocery store and seeing nothing but green banans on the shelf, two days later they are brown. How wasteful!

I agree....let's start separating the two issues.

OCT

2007

Stephanie- Whenever you have activists involved they taint the issue and cause more harm then good. People get turned off by that behavior and then turn off to the real issues. Global warming may or may not be true. There is a lot of evidence that shows it is not really true. But what does that have to do with breathing clean air so you don't get cancer or you don't kill wildlife that needs to be a part of the eco system or you look for ways to bring wind and solar power to the communities or you use non toxic cleaners so you do not hurt your family or the environment. Like I said on Jeff's post, if you don' t care about the earth, if you don't care about leaving a better place for your children, then be selfish and at least think about your self and your own health. 50% of all the people in the U.S will get cancer. Not may, WILL. Well, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out if you clean up the air then maybe so many people would not get cancer! Like DUGH!!!! Prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevention is the answer but no one likes that, it is too cheap and easy. They want to make money and i f you can't make money on it they are not interested. I've got a good post cooking.Katerina

Stephanie, how cool you got to see one of those cars. I received a video a couple of years ago about a guy who was producing hydrogen energy in his garage. He used like 2 tablespoons of water and could generate enough energy tp power a car for a pretty long period of time. At the time the naysayers were saying that hydrogen was not safe, i.e. the hydrogen bomb. I think it was then and now we know it is. Could the naysayers have been the oil companies? Until we get them out of the picture, alternative fuel sources are still going to be a long time coming.

Firms like Texaco and Mobil need to recognize that they are energy companies, not fossil fuel purveyors. Once that sinks in they'll realize that the future is now and lend their billions to the development & marketing of better fuels.

OCT

2007

Jeff - great point about the energy companies!

Hi Katerina, How do you really feel? :) You make some great points..regardless of anyone's beliefs, a healthier atmosphere helps everyone. I totally agree.

Hi Terry, I saw that video too! How cool was that?

Hi Jeff, you make a great point! Can I email that to BP and Exxon? :)

Hi Mary....that was awesome wasn't it?!

Stephanie,

This post made me think of all the negative terms I hear about this issue. I have heard "Environmental Wackoo" used too many times. I have always thought Al Gore was a bit of a phony. My husband is from TN and remembers when Al Gore was pro-tobacco, pro-gun, and fairly conservative.

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Stephanie Edwards-Musa, Realtor ® Spring/Woodlands, TX Real Estate

The Woodlands, TX

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