Would you give up certain luxuries to save the environment?

Question

Your dad is driving you crazy. It seems that he doesn't care about the environment at all. He doesn't recycle, he runs the air conditioner constantly, and he puts chemicals on the lawn. What's worse, he laughs at you when you tell him these things harm the environment. Then one day he tells you he bought you a surprise. He says he bought you a early birthday present. It's a gorgeous, but gas guzzling, sports car.

Do you accept it? You know that cars are a major source of pollution. And you know that it's important to conserve energy. Hello! We're talking about your very own car.

Whatever you decide, you can be sure you're not the only one facing this problem. These days, everyone struggles with the fact that everyday products can damage the environment. But what's the solution? Should people give up things they want to save the environment?

Answer 1

A PERSON WOULDN'T HAVE TO GIVE UP ANYTHING IF HE OR SHE PRACTICED ON SAVING THE ENVIROMENT. I USED CLOTH DIAPERS FOR MY BABIES, I TOOK MY GARBAGE OUT NIGHTLY AND PUT IT IN THE OUTSIDE TRASH CAN I USED PAPER BAGS THAT I CAME HOME FROM THE GROCERY WITH MY PURCHASES IN THEM. WE FED SCRAPS OF FOOD TO THE DOG. MILK BOTTLES WERE RECYCLED TO THE MILK COMPANY AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC AND SODAS WERE THE SAME WAY ALSO BEER WAS IN BOTTLES AND RECYCLED.

TODAY EVERY ONE IS SPOILED. WHEN IT ONLY TOOK A LITTLE MORE WORK AND THE ENIVIROMENT WAS CLEANER AND LESS POLUTED.

Answer 2

Tell your father that you do not want a computer, a car, or electricity in your room since all of this causes pollution and is wrong for the environment.  Matter of fact, start eating raw food that is not cooked since this causes pollution also.

Get real, tell your father thanks and once you are on your own, you can do what you want.

Answer 3

People need to be clear about what they want.

Our biggest "luxury" is our health (mental&physical), an that depends on a helathy environment.

A sports car doesn't have to be excessivly polluting, eg Tesla http://www.teslamotors.com

People usually want what the media/global corps tell them the want, not what would actually make them happy.

This was clearly described by the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurius, see Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton http://www.alaindebotton.com/philosophy....

yet what people actually want is good company, time to think, security of local (self produced) food & clothing ...

but this requires us as a culture to turn from an industrial growth society to a life sustaining one. http://www.greatturningtimes.org

Answer 4

No, I wouldn't give up luxuries but if you provided me with the luxuries of life, I would give up the necessities.

Answer 5

Yes I would, and yes, I have.  I actually drive a gas guzzler, a truck that I bought when I was young and stupid and gas was about a buck a gallon.  I do my best to limit the damage on the environment that it causes, first by driving it as little as possible and second by not driving it aggressively when I need to use it.  I've also had it for almost 7 years, which means that I haven't created demand for another new car.  Because its paid off I can spend a little more money on florescent lightbulbs and wind power for my house.  A large percentage of the energy a car will burn over the course of it's lifetime is burned while it's being made, so simply by keeping it for a long time and not driving it like a crazy person you can do just fine.  Also consider that whether you accept that car or not, the car will still exist.  SOMEONE will be driving it around.

Sounds like you're struggling with the contradiction of living in a consumption-happy society inconveniently located on a resource-constrained planet.  Material things have made our lives immeasurably better, but we are waking up to the fact that we are criminally wasteful with our material wealth.  It doesn't have to be that way, we can (actually, we have to) find a way to consume in a non-destructive way.

I recommend reading the following 2 books, the first one is an easy read and the second will take you a while (think Atlas Shrugged).

Cradle to Cradle

http://www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradl...

Natural Capitalism

http://www.natcap.org/

Answer 6

Accept the car and take it to a place called Left Coast Electric in Los Angeles California and have it converted to a completely electric car, sell the engine of course to help pay for the conversion. Chances are if its a good engine you will get some good money for it. The converted eletric cars go very fast and can be charged just about anywhere.

Answer 7

Yes, we should limit our living space to the size of Al Gore's house in Nashville Tennessee.  How big is it?  Google "Al Gore's"  house and see.

Answer 8

Well I have given up eating meat and fish for two years so that is helping the environment by preserving the animal life.  I don't miss eating meat so I don't consider it a luxury any more, however most people believe that it is a luxury to be dining at fancy restaurants eating prime stake and shrimp.

I am not old enough to drive, -- 16 -- so I can't rely say anything about the cars.  Most of my environmentally free routines involves animals; abstaining from animal cruelty cosmetics and foods.  I do however in the future plan to get a car that is environmentally friendly and to help volunteer groups plant trees etc.

I'm going GREEN -- one of my favorite colors --

Answer 9

Do not accept the car.

Give it away on a freecycle group and make someones day.

Answer 10

To live more environmentally friendly you don't have to give up everything you want, you don't have to spend 100$ to get that "I'm so smug organic hemp shirt and fancy little shoes".  I think It is obvious to most people that a gas guzzling vehicle is not the ideal any more, if for no other reason than the cost of fuel and the increasing cost of every other commodity as well.  If we all made little changes (like turning off the hot water in the shower while we sudz up or shave, or turning off lights when not in use, walking when you can or other equally small actions) it would add up to a big difference shortly.  One thing that really bugs me is that people are willing to spend an arm and a leg on things that make them seem eco-friendly but have tons of bad habits that could be changed with little effort.   Also, while I am on this little rant, reusing is a great form of recycling but the act of recycling itself is quite energy intensive and should not be used as an excuse to blow through packaging like it doesn't matter.

Answer 11

Absolutely no way can you accept this gift. You have only 2 options; destroy the car or auction it and install solar panels as an early birthday present for your dad!

Answer 12

I already GIVE UP many items  to save the Environment.

1. I am using Coconut Oil to avoid Platic Packing.

2.Not using Perfumes/sprays ( this  make hole in Ozone layer)

3.Not using any Face Cream/Hair cream/Jel/Shampoo/Body lotion. ( to reduce the use of Platic can/Container/Bottles)

4.Running Cycle to Save Petrol/Diesel.

5.Not using Plastic Bags in my Day to Day activities.( keeping Cotton Bag with me for shopping/Marketing)

6.Wearing Cotton shirt/Pant/Kercheif/Brief/Vests/Bed sheets/Pillows/Covers. All synthetic fabrics are spoling our Ecology and pollution is Air/Water.

7. Not wasting Paper/Gas/Electricity etc in my Daily life.

8.Do not purchase any items which is not require for me,If have money also.

9.Not using Air Conditioner/Cooler. If necessary using Electric fan only.

10.My wife is using Hand/Washing Soap( ECo Soaps)only.

Not using Washing Machines.

11. No Refrigerator or Oven in my House. It consumes lot of Electricity and Refrigerator emits Chlorofloro Gas in Air. this Gas is danger for Ozone Layer.

12. Before buying any items I asked my self whether this items is realy required or not

My wife/My daughter and myself buy ECO Friendly items only.

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s.s.subbu

Answer 13

Sounds like your dad wasn't listening to you.

I used to have a bf that wanted to buy me a bunny skin coat every year for Christmas. Sure, it would have looked great on me, but I don't believe in wearing fur and he knew it.  I think that some folks think that  if they give us something that compromises our beliefs as a gift it somehow makes it ok.  Not sure for everyone, I know, but that has been my life experience.  I think sometimes they do it just to see what we will do too.  Good luck!!