Why is being concerned or caring about the earth considered so bad?

Question

It seems nowadays if you even speak of planting a tree, someone has to scream liberal bunnie hugger or tree hugging hippie whacko. it's even considered terrorism in some cases!

With this planet being essential to our very survival, It just confuses the h**l out of me. it's not like we have spare earths to go to at a moments notice.

Why do people fall into this political brainwashing of "left vs. right" Global warming aside, al gore aside, carbon legislation aside.

Isn't this more a matter or morals and survival rather than some political football? I don't think a single person on earth, even the most hardcore neocon oil worker, could honestly say they WANT more mercury in the water or more smog in the air

Answer 1

because consumerism a hard habit to kick babe, we all want cheap food and foreign holidays and most people are to selfish or too poor to give up one or the other.

There's the whole responsibility thing too, who wants to admit we've ruined the planet?that's a big thing to have on your conscience.

then there's the whole genetic status thing we're primates we want to look better than others chimps do it through they don't need SuV's.

so if you give people an excuse political or not they'll take it.

Answer 2

It's not.  What is considered bad is deciding that you know the answer, and trying to force your answer on others.  For example, no one really cares if you go and plant a tree on your own land.  But, if you insist that I plant one as well, and especially if you try and force me to plant one, you are violating my freedoms and have crossed the line from good to bad.

Answer 3

First let me say that I'm a farmer.  All the eco-friendly, liberal, tree hugging, save the whale types don't hold a candle to the average farmer when it comes to actually doing something when it comes to caring for and protecting the Earth's resources.

I've installed numerous erosion control practices that keep the soil on my farm and out of streams and rivers.  I've planted lots of grass and trees on former cropland.  I've The last two barns I've build (one 20X30 and one 50X60) were built almost entirely out of salvaged building materials.  The same stuff that was headed for a landfill or would have been burned, putting carbon into the atmosphere.  I could go on and on.  Suffice to say, the average farmer doesn't just talk the talk like so many urban folks do, we walk the walk.

ADDITIONAL

birdgirl, I don't understand the point you're trying to make (concerning me).  Stereotypical farmer?  What, as in me saying farmers take care of their land?  In case you think they don't, go price a farm.  With a million dollar investment in land alone, try telling me farmers are going to let the land erode away and that they "poison" the soil.  If we did, we wouldn't be able to pay for the place or survive financially (and no, there's no big government subsidies).  

And yes, I know how other farmers are, my in town job is working with farmers installing soil and water conservation practices on their land, keeping thir soil in place and everyone's streams and rivers clean.  I've worked with hundreds of different landowners in just this county alone.  Incidently, I also teach environmental sciences to both schoolkids and adults and the school administrations haven't come after me with pitchforks and torches .

And yep, I still have lots to learn and when I meet someone who is more knowledgable than me on a particular subject, I ask plenty of questions.  But, I'm also knowledgable enough on different subjects to recognize who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't.  I'm not talking about you personally, but I've been around long enough and delt with the public enough to know there's plenty of people out there who are like a catfish: all mouth and no brains.

Answer 4

Lack of awareness.  too materialistic.  too materialistic   too materialistic,  well you get the point.

Answer 5

I agree with you 100%.  Clean air and water is clean air and water no matter what polical party or religion one belongs to!

bikinkawboy...you are stereotyping and generalizing which is totally unfair...I could go on and on about the "stereotypical" farmer that stands on his porch all day in his overalls with his shotgun, chewing on a piece of straw while shooting at any wild animal that comes near his property.  You claim in your profile that you still have a lot to learn and are not afraid to admit it...well with an attitude like your answer....I doubt you will ever learn anything!