Are we stupid to think or go Green?

Question

For years now - I've been recycling, using low energy bulbs, trying to cycle instead of drive (even to the recycling bins). I've reduced my house hold garbage to less than half and my driving is below 1,000 km per month from over 4,000. However - my road tax keeps going up, my car insurance keeps going up, my fuel tax bill keeps going up, my house hold taxes keep going up. Thus it strikes me - I have to pay for all these resources, fuel, garbage removal, insurance, road tax regardless of whether I use them - so I should try to maximize my use of these resources until the government taxes me in proportion to my utilization.

Answer 1

Change your car insurance or get rid of the car ....

Seriously, it sounds like you're in the right mode. Are you looking for instant gratification?  There are millions like you, doing their share, or more.  The cummulative effects of these efforts are incalculable. But the effect of inaction by yourself and your green compatriots could be easily calculated indeed.

Keep it up.  It's not stupid.  It's what those of us who care about the future do.  I don't like the way most of my tax money is spent, either, and I know the system isn't as efficient as it should be.  You have some recourse there, and can get involved on citizen action committees or by running for local office.  Sometimes working from the inside can be an enlightening experience.

Answer 2

were not stupid but you are/

Answer 3

bully for you. i am not a green nut. i go green when it is economically in my favor. i use compact flourescents. i have a neighborhood electric vehicle. i recycle cans and bottles as we have curbside recycling. i combine trips, etc.

all of these are either less costly for me or free.

if i could come up with economical solar or wind, i would do that too.

Answer 4

I pay by the bag for my trash, gallon for my fuel, and KWH for my power.    That said, my roads are getting worse, my insurance company boasts how they are 59th in the fortune 500, and my house is worth less than I paid for it a few years ago.    Part of the cost increase is inflation, part is more people wanting more services and part is they are able to get away with it because people keep on paying without complaining.     Going green is about the only way I can save money.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear about that. In the U.S., at least, many of our costs are based on usage. I use less gasoline; therefore I pay less in state and federal taxes. I drive less, so I get a break on insurance. I use less electricity and lower my bill that way. I don't know what your situation is but I suspect that you pay for your fuel based on what you use, rather than a set fee. Think how much you would be paying if you were still driving 4,000 km per month.

Answer 6

maybe not.... all of it can be explained so i dont think its total rubbish or anything and its not like we're doing any harm by going green

Answer 7

What I see going on is that more people are catching on and being more like you and this is why the prices are going up and eventually the influx of pricing will deflux. Meaning, we'll eventually break the system. Hopefully with the new attention on enviro. friendly habits new alternatives will start popping up and alternatives that have already been proposed will get proper funding. I see it like an organic being, or living thing--- we're starving it and it's putting up it's last fight until it crashes and dies.

Answer 8

Whether you live green or not all of those expenses will keep going up. If you are living green, yours should not be going up as fast as those who don't live green. The government may not ever tax you in proportion to your utilization. Government taxes in accordance to its own selfish wants and needs.

Answer 9

We are stupid to fall for all that c**p. Why is it we, the consumer has to go green, when companies and government are the worst polluters.

Answer 10

did you know that by recycling just one soda can saves enough energy to run your pc for an hour?

i think it is STILL worthwhile:)

Answer 11

There are some great points made.  I am not sure what the first part of your answer has to do with the other.  I am in complete agreement that taxes we pay are too high and it is cost prohibitive to be green, but it may be cost prohibitive to be non green.

The amount of taxes is an issue.  How we conserve and use the money we are allowed to keep is another issue.  

Finally while there are many governments and business who do not do anything green, that is their choice, and should not affect what we do or do not do.  

Personal Choices are important.  Let people keep their money and decide how to use it.

Answer 12

No - we are following the illuminati agenda just as they want us to.

I remember putting a sticker on my bolier saying 'SAVE IT' when I was little in the 1970's.

So didn't we save enough?

Answer 13

I don't mind the concept of "going green" as an idea or ideal, although I make no conscious effort to be more environmentally friendly. I do mind the holier-than-thou  enivornazis that make it their business to tell you what a horrible person you are for driving an SUV or how you are single-handily responsible for killing off a herd of baby seals because you didn't recycle than empty bottle. If you think what you are doing is helping, then good for you, but do not try to push your beliefs or belittle others because you're too self righteous to keep it to yourself.