Why the anti-green attitude?

Question

I see a lot of troll-type posts in the "Green Living" section. Why are these people anti-green?

I don't think there should be laws about being green, it goes against my political views. But I don't see anything negative about people making a personal choice to live cleaner lives.

I'll admit, I'm not very green at the moment. I am trying to do a few things to be less wasteful, though. I use the florescent light bulbs that use less energy, I turn off lights when not in the room, and I recently ordered some reusable shopping bags to use when grocery shopping. Sure, they are small things, but they are easy changes for me to make.

Answer 1

I think the reason so many people are "anti-green" is because a large portion of 'environmentally friendly' people preach their beliefs to others; indirectly or directly positioning themselves in a better light in comparison to the person to whom they are preaching (whether true or not). In this manner, parallels can be drawn between being "green" and religion, in that they conjure up hate through a sense of instilled obligation which may/is usually founded on misguided or fabricated claims. As well, the "trend" of being "green" has also been associated with this movement because the vast majority of its followers have simply "jumped on the bandwagon" and have no empirical backing to reinforce their position, beyond watching Al Gore films and listening to the news (both instances of biased media). Lastly, I believe the "anti-green" position has grown in strength due to the prevalence of more militarized/fanatic "green" movements which tend to use tactics such as fear mongering and insist on implementing radical/implausible "environmentally friendly" policies. Just to note; I am not "anti-green", but I have also not succumbed to environmental fanaticism.

Answer 2

Most of us can all become a little greener here and there...

What we have to do is remain conscious in why we've decided to go greener in the first place as opposed to getting caught up in being, talking and preaching 'fashionable green.' In my opinion, it is my hope that green remains trendy for the rest of time, but as all fads do, it will fade too. However, the healthy habits we make must be strong enough to outlive the fad.

Answer 3

I feel you frustration.  I think many people are very resistant to change or the idea that they might have some personal responsibility to change their own lifestyles to encourage the common good.  It is a type of thinking that baffles me but I suspect it is associated with rigid, inflexible thinking patterns.  From time to time, I get slightly snide remarks about my attempts to conserve and live more simply, which of course are imperfect at best but I try.  Just keep plugging away and try to ignore the negativity as much as possible - those people really are in the miniority.

Answer 4

"green living" is just a catch phrase to make you feel better  about paying more taxes and much more for stupid looking light bulbs that don't work as good.

Answer 5

I think it's great that you use Fluroescent bulbs and you turn your lights off. That's being friendly to the environment. If we all just did a little bit to help the environment then things like climate change, global warming and water crisis will Stop!

Answer 6

Strong feelings on a subject are always going to be noticed, especially when they disagree with what we think.

Some people who are very pro green would be negative and tell you your not doing enough. The ones who think the whole Green Issue is nonsense would say why bother. Both sides can be equally trollish!

Me - I'll argue the pro's and cons of using a shopping bag with you. Just for fun!



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Answer 7

Most people dont really care about the green living. They just like upsetting the ones that do. Its like a kid saying "oh this is my favorite tv show!" and then his friend turns and says "oh yeah?!...(changes the channel)....well I think that show is stupid" Its all childish uninformed people that have yet to either be affected or see the effects of not going green. There are a lot of idiots in this world, my advice would be for you to learn selective hearing/reading!

Answer 8

im trying to go more green too! more or less with cleansers and what not...

rock onnn  : )

Answer 9

The reason for anti-green reactions is the failure to balance costs against the benefits.  For example, I do not know if solar panels could be with the cost range of 60 or 70 or 80 percent of the population or only 10 percent of can afford the costs of a solar panel installation.  Then is there an infrastructure of repair and maintenance solar experts in mainstream America.  For these reasons, as one of the "anti-greens"  I ask that the total Green community balance their view of an ideal world against the real world of limited resources to implement the Green agenda.  It would also be appreciated if a one "gold standard" or even two be selected to impose on the population.  I cannot find a competent plumber or electrician and I pay a premium to attract someone to come and complete a simple repair job within the area of work for which they have 20 years experience.  Is the Solar Repair Specialist going to be different than the plumber? When?  20 years from today?  10 years?  That is the short version of the complaint about the movement.

Answer 10

Pushy, rude, militant activists aside, anti-green attitude largely correlates to the same lack of imagination of what life will be like when petroleum hits $250USD/barrel.  Fortunately??, $250USD/barrel petroleum will solve many problems we for which we need to be green.

Answer 11

Too many people whom are "green advocates" are WAAAAAY over the top. It produces bad feelings in some people.

Answer 12

Some people love to be the Devil's Advocate.  And some just feel like it's their right to be wasteful.  However others have probably had it up the wazoo with 'greenies' who are militant.

Personally I feel a responsibility to the earth and toward my daughter.  She inspires me to be greener (and sometimes to drink too).  =)  I'm also compelled to try to ofset the pollution my sister in law is creating by living in her delerium of paper plates, plastic silverware, and non stop shopaholic clothing binges...*sigh*  

Don't give up!

Answer 13

To admit that they are destroying the world makes them feel bad.  Since others are choosing to minimize their personal damage they probably take it as a slap in the face and feel guilty so they do what they can to shoot down others.  Since I don't ever go in that section I'm not 100% sure.

I am working out a way to start living a self-sufficient lifestyle.  I figure if I'm going green I may as well jump off the cliff and take my beating all the way eh?.