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Am I an Environmental Hypocrite?

2/6/2015

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There is a LOT to learn about the environment to complete this project. Before I start learning it all, it’s time for some more stock-taking.  It seems to make sense to do a brief assessment of what I know best: My own habits. Are my everyday behaviors harming the planet, even as I resolve to protect it? Could I stop myself even if I wanted to? 

Must I really face this embarrassing question:
Am I an Environmental Hypocrite?

If so, can I legitimately purport to be making a positive impact overall, despite my individual negative impact?

Ok, time to come clean (pun! See, the environment can be funny.). Scrutinize my own behaviors through an environmental lens. After just a shallow dip into the world of personal accountability for the environment, I must conclude that I am, indeed, not exactly living what I might end up preaching.

Without any research, I already know it’s not in the best interests of the planet that I:

  • Drive a gas-guzzling car, often without anyone else in it. 
  • Wash that car.
  • Don’t bring my reusable water bottle everywhere I go.
  • Buy lots of things in plastic bottles, including water.
  • Buy other stuff that comes in Styrofoam packaging.
  • Use the heater and A/C to keep the house 64-80 degrees.
  • Fly.
  • Use wrapping paper.
  • Leave the lights on.
  • Leave the computer on.
  • Leave everything plugged in.
  • Luxuriate in long, hot showers.
  • Know about a draft coming under the door, but do nothing about it.
  • Flush the toilet more than the average 5 flushes/day.
  • Put sandwiches in plastic bags.
  • Don’t buy local.
  • Don’t buy organic.
  • Don’t compost.
  • Order takeout.
  • Use a dryer instead of a clothesline.
  • Water the yard.

Ouch. A bit painful to see it all laid out like that. But now you know the worst about me. And I might have a sense of where to start. But wait! The goal is to make the biggest possible positive impact on the environment. Maybe I can do that even without changing my filthy personal habits. Must look further.

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    I just turned the big Five-Oh, and decided to dedicate the next decade of my life to helping the environment. Read more in the About section.

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