Why should I bother saving energy...the planet owes me?

Question

I grew up in a freezing cold house, (sometimes my glass of water by my bed froze) I walk everywhere and didn't even go abroad on a plane till I was 20.

When entire cities in Vagas and Tokyo don't turn their advertisment billboard lights off at night, why should I sit in a sweater the perpetual twighlight of a (mercury filled) energy saving lightbulb sorting my green and brown glass out.

It gets dark at 4.00 in the evening here, I'm at least deserving to be nice and (even slightly uncomfortably) warm. Global warming isn't even proven.

Answer 1

Well, not addressing the "Global warming isn't proven"...

I think you're not on the target list of people who really need to save energy.  Sounds like you have not done much to damage the planet.  You shouldn't have much to feel guilty about.  All you're doing now to recycle etc., you can think of as extra.  Good environmental karma kudos stacking up for you.  Perhaps the planet does owe you.  I agree.  The big money advertisers and polluters are the real criminals.  These guys should really not sleep at night.  (Tho I'm sure they do...)  Like what is Trump doing for the planet?  Dumping megatons of CO2 with all his casinos etc...He's like a polluting machine.  Every now and then he throws the earth or the poor a charitable crumb.  But it is a drop in the bucket compared to the damage he's responsible for.   As for you, get warm and toasty and get some good sleep one of those long nights.

Answer 2

I will agree with you that Vegas and Tokyo are sucking up more power every day than your house could even dream of using.  You shouldn't have to sit in the cold.  No one wants to give up our modern conveniences, and that's what the debate is about.  How do we continue to have all of these things, but do it sustainably?  Sustainability means we meet our needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  Obviously oil and coal are not sustainable.  So keep your heater on, but help us find a way to do it sustainably.  Help us make sure that your kids and grandkids don't grow up in a freezing cold house like you did, or worse, because we used up all of our resources?  

P.S. Global warming is more accurately described as global climate change.  It doesn't mean it won't be cold anywhere anymore - the patterns of weather we have always known will shift (snow in Baghdad, anyone?)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/worl...

P.P.S. If we wait until everyone is convinced that global warming is happening, it will be a little late.  Whether we're causing it or not, no one would argue that we're disrupting the way this planet has always operated, and that we're using resources at an alarming rate.  We can change that now without all the politics and arguing.

Answer 3

I don't subscribe to the whole global warming theory either, but I will say that by saving energy, you do save $.  Just setting your thermostat down by a bit will save money.  Changing out of compact flourescent bulbs, while the initial cost is higher, does save on the electric bill.  

Save energy - Saving money.  That's why I do it.

Answer 4

I think the same about these cites these company use over powering signs and some time unnecessary lights. this is only because the customer the git don't see the impact of this or some just don't care if we in up in the situation that has new york flooded.if the people demanded more effective ways to conserve energy than the company fearing failure wold comply.if you are really doing what you said then at least you know you did not take part in the destruction of civilization when that time come any way.

Answer 5

I can honestly say, sometimes I agree with you. When you look at the Americans in their huge houses, you could fit my tiny bungalow into their swimming pool, and their cars burn up so much fuel it's criminal. What's the point of us doing our bit, until they start making an effort? I am critcised for my one indulgence, a foreign holiday once a year, and almost had that cancelled last year due to "friends of the earth" protesters.However, I do try to do my bit. I suppose it has to start somewhere.

Answer 6

hey! sometimes i feel like that too you know- i wish i could just let go. leave the tap on. get a much faster motorbike rather than my electric scooter. but the feelin jus lasts for moments in me.

listen, i'm an environmentalist, hence the followin perception. i'm sure u might have valid points to disagree with me.

you see, you don't need to sacrifice basic necessities like a little central heating and a tubelight or two and stuff, but don't u think the earth has given what you have already!

u might be meagre in ur demands, but u share ur perception with a zillion others- "the earth owes me this" perception

u may demand a small carbon footprint and the others might have a larger one. but they think- the earth owes me this.

don't u think about wat u owe the earth? hav u paid off for wat u got frm the earth like lightin and all that by just being judicious with ur use of it?

think about it... let me knw if i made sense or all wat i wrote was nonsense!

u don't need to do it to avoid the impact of global warming, imagine urself and the earth two be two creatures in a symbiotic relationship- what u get the other gives you and likewise. the earth has given u so much, how much hav u given it?

Answer 7

The planet owes you nothing, it was here first.  

I'm not saying you shouldn't use the earth's resources,  just use them wisely.  Take what you really need, and leave the rest for the future.