A new survey released demonstrates that 13-29 year olds may be the most “green” educated, recycle the most (87%), use energy-efficient light bulbs (73%), and feel as if they can make a difference in helping the Earth (74%); however, most would choose a cheaper product over one that is environmentally friendly.
This is not unique to 13-29 year olds. Research we conducted for the National Center for Public Policy Research last year reveals that a solid majority of Americans (65%) reject spending even a penny more for gasoline in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That was before the economy began to take a dive, too!
Now as families struggle to put food on their tables, Democrats are championing a new piece of legislation called the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” (also known as Cap-and-Trade) that will increase the cost of nearly every manufactured product in addition to gasoline and electricity. In fact, the increased energy costs alone would cost EVERY household in the nation $3,000 a year. But, Democrats claim that the legislation will actually produce jobs.
I grew up in a household that was very earth conscious. We recycled religiously, composted, raised fruits and vegetables in own garden, and raised bees for honey and candle wax. My Dad took conservation very seriously and would go out of his way to make sure that we were as “green” as possible (much to our displeasure sometimes). But, he’d be the first one to tell you that you can’t starve people in an attempt to save the earth. That’s exactly what Democrats are doing, though. If this bill passes, our economic nightmares have just begun.
I think it is important to note that even if we are able to stop/greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions here in the US, countries like India and China will still be spewing billions of tons of pollution into the atmosphere. I’m not advocating that we do nothing, but I think plunging the country into further depression for a cause that does little to solve the problem is a foolish endeavor (at least right now).
Choosing Cheap over Green
Posted by Tyler Harber on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 8:15 AM
A new survey released demonstrates that 13-29 year olds may be the most “green” educated, recycle the most (87%), use energy-efficient light bulbs (73%), and feel as if they can make a difference in helping the Earth (74%); however, most would choose a cheaper product over one that is environmentally friendly.
This is not unique to 13-29 year olds. Research we conducted for the National Center for Public Policy Research last year reveals that a solid majority of Americans (65%) reject spending even a penny more for gasoline in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That was before the economy began to take a dive, too!
Now as families struggle to put food on their tables, Democrats are championing a new piece of legislation called the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” (also known as Cap-and-Trade) that will increase the cost of nearly every manufactured product in addition to gasoline and electricity. In fact, the increased energy costs alone would cost EVERY household in the nation $3,000 a year. But, Democrats claim that the legislation will actually produce jobs.
I grew up in a household that was very earth conscious. We recycled religiously, composted, raised fruits and vegetables in own garden, and raised bees for honey and candle wax. My Dad took conservation very seriously and would go out of his way to make sure that we were as “green” as possible (much to our displeasure sometimes). But, he’d be the first one to tell you that you can’t starve people in an attempt to save the earth. That’s exactly what Democrats are doing, though. If this bill passes, our economic nightmares have just begun.
I think it is important to note that even if we are able to stop/greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions here in the US, countries like India and China will still be spewing billions of tons of pollution into the atmosphere. I’m not advocating that we do nothing, but I think plunging the country into further depression for a cause that does little to solve the problem is a foolish endeavor (at least right now).