Going green, much harder than i thought?

Question

im willing to do anything to help the enviroment, but i feel my efforts are pointless. i started my eco-friendly life style by cutting back on non-recyclable goods, car pooling, becoming a vegetarian, crapping in an out house, and calling no man mister. while iv reduced my carbon foot print i feel i have lost the respect of my fellow man. is saving the earth worth being a filthy hippie?

Answer 1

I am starting to understand more about going green; my family has recently made some changes that we hope will have some positive effect on the environment. We are much more aware of the ways we can easily change. I just recently wrote an article about the ways my family is going green- (see below.)

The main point in the article was that even though we are on a tight budget right now, none of the changes we made cost us a single penny! In fact, some of them will actually save us money in the long run. We are learning as we go, but we are trying, and that is always a step in the right direction.

Answer 2

I must first ask the exact thing(s) that you do that makes others "lose respect" for you. Define "losing respect", does it mean others rib you, poke fun, laugh about what you do? Or do they curse, look down as if you committed murder, avoid, scoff, yell? I thought doing things to make others "like you" stopped at high school? So maybe going Green is "mentally" harder than you thought. Do you realize that all the things you mentioned above that you currently do (I commend your decision!!) from the get go, others would not even think of doing all at once? Good job! Although the outhouse is a bit much. Not everyone can do everything. It would be nice to be able to ride your bike to work, but how feasible is that for most of us? Do what you can, and PLEASE don't feel guilty about doing something good! If you are fighting yourself mentally, you can never relax around others. I have been on and off designing, (but very little building) a recumbent bike made from wood & other junked bikes (hence my "Answers" name) I found on garbage day. My company is building a new office right down the street & I could/will ride there every chance I get. Unfortunatly, we will probably move later this year...so there I go, back to the car! My Honda gets high 30's!

Answer 3

You are making significant lifestyle changes that do count!  By doing these things you are also providing others with inspiration to make positive changes.  You don't have to catagorize yourself as a hippie, you are a crusader, and we come in many different packages!  Keep it up! :D

Answer 4

There's a whole heap of people who will be respecting you more for your efforts. Those that appear to not and think they're very clever when they tell 'stinky hippies' to 'get a job' are only doing so out of a guilt for their own lifestyles. They want to remain comfortable driving their SUVs and living in their air-conditioned mansions and the only way to remain comfortable with that lifestyle is to attack those who are trying to do the right thing.

You don't have to be filthy or be a 'hippy' (whatever that is - i think of dreds, dope and rainbow coloured  personally, none of which are particularly 'eco-friendly') to make wise, environmental choices. You don't have to be preachy and annoying and lose people's respect, just making changes and telling others what you're doing will help spread the good stuff. Often people want to know. Green is growing so much right now it's becoming mainstream, and the gas-guzzling hippy-haters are looking more and more stupid and selfish.

Answer 5

yes you should also yurn off the computer it wastes a lot of power.

Answer 6

remember every little bit helps you may not see it soon but get your friends to help and your family too soon your community will join in even just recycling can help!!

Answer 7

This answer may make some uncomfortable, but remember it is just an analogy.

I come from a redneck family. I HATE being called a hippie, it denotes a huge lack of respect. Its the same way a redneck calls someone a "f*g" (that's the analogy, don't get upset, forest huggers hug all people). I have sort of come to terms with it though, because I know that what I do threatens their lifestyle. They don't want to hear it. It is like religion, unless you are converted, you don't want to know.

I was environmentally "in the closet" for years, and one day I just came out. I couldn't take it anymore. The "hippie" label has been a hard one for me to take on as part of who I am because of my family's very negative view of it. But, like others have said here, don't worry about losing friends and the respect of your fellow man. They are reacting. If they can discredit you, then their comfortable life is safe.

You have the respect of someone like me and the others here. We know how hard it is and therefore respect you even more.

Answer 8

You must live in Texas if you feel that way. Move to a new place were your green habits are the norm, not the exception.

You have not lost the respect of your fellow man, just the bone heads around where you live now, and maybe some of the people you hang with.

Saving the Earth is worth it for the next generations beyond this horizon, but if you don't have any kids yet it's hard to make that connection.

Some day history will take a side on these issues, your on the right side now, but the dark side is powerful.

Answer 9

Have a better attitude towards life in general will make everything "worth it".  Leaving your unique footprint is what you should be doing, not ticking off your fellow man!  That's what makes this planet rotten to begin with!

Answer 10

You need to change your attitude about being a "filthy hippy". You are pigeonholing what being a greeny is all about. Being seen as a hippy because you care for the environment is old fashioned and narrow minded nonsense. I have many friends and associates in the business world who are caring and responsible about the environment - in fact the more innovative they are in their caring of the environment the more respect they are receiving. In fact is is seen as being trendy. Rise above others insecurities of not being as strong as you in your beliefs and gain the respect you deserve.