Fancy some ascetism? MSN wants you to 'go green'
Discussion
[quote=MSN]
Go green and save
By Nicolette Loizou
Last updated May 24 2005
Following a green lifestyle used to be thought of as a luxury only for those with the time and organisation skills available to apply it. Now in a world when it snows in May and the glaciers are melting, everyone should give green living a go
Going green has never been easier with hundreds of organisations and initiatives out there designed to help us. And not only will going green benefit the planet but the everyday living tips below will also help us benefit our bank balance. Here are a few of our favourite tips:
Top tips
1. Save on energy bills and make the planet happy by turning off appliances when they are not needed, turning off lights, closing doors and using half loads in the washing machine whenever it is needed.
2. Try and eat local, home-grown produce whenever possible. It is cheaper and far healthier. If you must go to the supermarket the main culprits to avoid are green beans (they’ve guzzled masses of air miles as they are usually flung over from Africa) and non-European avocados (likewise).
3. Companies have capitalised on the neurosis of new parents by flogging them inexpensive and planet destroying products they do not need. If you are a new parent the best thing you can do to save the earth and your cash is to avoid disposable nappies altogether. They are incredibly expensive, give babies’ nappy rash and permeate chemicals that persist for generations. Use rewashable nappies on the market instead.
4. What produces benzene (which is carcinogenic), carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide? Cars, of course. No-one is suggesting that you sacrifice your car but there are ways you can reduce the use of this very expensive addition to modern life. Perhaps the easiest way to cut down on car costs without sacrificing your motoring is to investigate Liftshare schemes and car clubs. You’re not expected to offer or accept a lift that you’re not happy about and your personal details are not made public. For further information click on the links below.
Liftshare (external link, window opens new browser)
Car Plus (external link, window opens new browser)
Switch to a greener energy supplier
5. Household cleaning products are crammed with nasty, allergy causing pollutants as well as being ridiculously expensive. You could try some cost-effective, earth-friendly alternatives. A few drops of aromatherapy oils such as the ones that are natural disinfectants like tea tree, lemon and lime work well diluted in water and used to wipe down surfaces. Another top tip is to wipe the floor with lemon quarters for fantastic shine and a fresh, clean smell.
How big companies exploit desperate housewives
6. Use a shopper bag instead of the plastic bags that the supermarkets always hand out. You may well be thinking that this kind of action won’t save you anything as they hand them out free but remember, nothing is free in the world of the multi-nationals. Although they might not be charging you at the check-out for your bags they are certainly passing on the costs elsewhere to your shopping bill if not contributing to the cost of your council tax in clearing it up.
7. Give up smoking. Toxic to the environment, toxic to your health and toxic to your bank account. Try hypnotherapy – it many cases all it takes is one session.
8. Pressure cookers and steamers both save energy because you can cook several different foods on one ring with them. Also, when boiling rice and pasta turn the heat off when it has reached boiling point and put the lid on until it is fully cooked.
[/quote]
Do they not realise how all of this is just guilt-ridden pissing in the wind?
And for the last time :shout: We are not aliens! Everything that happens on this planet comes from it. We do not 'kill' the planet, we are part of it. If anything, the planet's more likely to kill us - that's how insignificant we are.
Sorry, but this enforced self-flagellation drives me up the wall.
Go green and save
By Nicolette Loizou
Last updated May 24 2005
Following a green lifestyle used to be thought of as a luxury only for those with the time and organisation skills available to apply it. Now in a world when it snows in May and the glaciers are melting, everyone should give green living a go
Going green has never been easier with hundreds of organisations and initiatives out there designed to help us. And not only will going green benefit the planet but the everyday living tips below will also help us benefit our bank balance. Here are a few of our favourite tips:
Top tips
1. Save on energy bills and make the planet happy by turning off appliances when they are not needed, turning off lights, closing doors and using half loads in the washing machine whenever it is needed.
2. Try and eat local, home-grown produce whenever possible. It is cheaper and far healthier. If you must go to the supermarket the main culprits to avoid are green beans (they’ve guzzled masses of air miles as they are usually flung over from Africa) and non-European avocados (likewise).
3. Companies have capitalised on the neurosis of new parents by flogging them inexpensive and planet destroying products they do not need. If you are a new parent the best thing you can do to save the earth and your cash is to avoid disposable nappies altogether. They are incredibly expensive, give babies’ nappy rash and permeate chemicals that persist for generations. Use rewashable nappies on the market instead.
4. What produces benzene (which is carcinogenic), carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide? Cars, of course. No-one is suggesting that you sacrifice your car but there are ways you can reduce the use of this very expensive addition to modern life. Perhaps the easiest way to cut down on car costs without sacrificing your motoring is to investigate Liftshare schemes and car clubs. You’re not expected to offer or accept a lift that you’re not happy about and your personal details are not made public. For further information click on the links below.
Liftshare (external link, window opens new browser)
Car Plus (external link, window opens new browser)
Switch to a greener energy supplier
5. Household cleaning products are crammed with nasty, allergy causing pollutants as well as being ridiculously expensive. You could try some cost-effective, earth-friendly alternatives. A few drops of aromatherapy oils such as the ones that are natural disinfectants like tea tree, lemon and lime work well diluted in water and used to wipe down surfaces. Another top tip is to wipe the floor with lemon quarters for fantastic shine and a fresh, clean smell.
How big companies exploit desperate housewives
6. Use a shopper bag instead of the plastic bags that the supermarkets always hand out. You may well be thinking that this kind of action won’t save you anything as they hand them out free but remember, nothing is free in the world of the multi-nationals. Although they might not be charging you at the check-out for your bags they are certainly passing on the costs elsewhere to your shopping bill if not contributing to the cost of your council tax in clearing it up.
7. Give up smoking. Toxic to the environment, toxic to your health and toxic to your bank account. Try hypnotherapy – it many cases all it takes is one session.
8. Pressure cookers and steamers both save energy because you can cook several different foods on one ring with them. Also, when boiling rice and pasta turn the heat off when it has reached boiling point and put the lid on until it is fully cooked.
[/quote]
Do they not realise how all of this is just guilt-ridden pissing in the wind?
And for the last time :shout: We are not aliens! Everything that happens on this planet comes from it. We do not 'kill' the planet, we are part of it. If anything, the planet's more likely to kill us - that's how insignificant we are.
Sorry, but this enforced self-flagellation drives me up the wall.
Don't see what your problem is at all mate, i'm all for reducing any pollution we put into the air - why not indeed? A lot of those suggestions make a lot of sense aswell in other ways than just being green. I want people to car share to reduce congestion, i want their to be less smog in citys, i want there to be less landfill sites. What's the problem?
Cheers,
Rob.
Cheers,
Rob.
Rob_F said:
Don't see what your problem is at all mate, i'm all for reducing any pollution we put into the air - why not indeed? A lot of those suggestions make a lot of sense aswell in other ways than just being green. I want people to car share to reduce congestion, i want their to be less smog in citys, i want there to be less landfill sites. What's the problem?
Cheers,
Rob.
My problem is that I agree with your sentiments, but ignoring the things that could make a difference (like legalizing biofuels etc), and coming out with comments like 'disposeable nappies are murdering the planet' instead just makes me despair.
MSN? is that microsoft?
mmm don't they make vast amounts of moneyfrom computers?
computers take vast amounts of energy to produce and are full of nasty things like lead and arsenic.
I would have thought that stopping companies holding back technology and forcing us to upgrade every 3 minutes would be more benneficial to the environment.
mmm don't they make vast amounts of moneyfrom computers?
computers take vast amounts of energy to produce and are full of nasty things like lead and arsenic.
I would have thought that stopping companies holding back technology and forcing us to upgrade every 3 minutes would be more benneficial to the environment.
Lights on all over the house right now, Stereo left on for hours while I was out to run in the new speakers..... Nothing is ever powered off apart from my annual holidays.
Probably used about 10P's worth of electricity. Sorry, but environmentalism just leaves me cold. The difference individuals make is minescule in comparison to industry.
Hell, I'll be well on the way to biodegrading myself before it becomes a problem
Probably used about 10P's worth of electricity. Sorry, but environmentalism just leaves me cold. The difference individuals make is minescule in comparison to industry.
Hell, I'll be well on the way to biodegrading myself before it becomes a problem
I personally have no problems with any of the points quoted. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using less energy and fewer chemicals than are required.
Especially regarding the stupid amounts of detergent people seem to think they need to live. Hot soapy water, a rag, and open the windows FFS!
Especially regarding the stupid amounts of detergent people seem to think they need to live. Hot soapy water, a rag, and open the windows FFS!
FunkyNige said:
I think I actually agree with all those points, even if they are strangely worded. And for once the 'cars pollute' bit is sorted by 'use carshare schemes' rather than 'drive a Daewoo Matiz/use public transport'.
Me too. I think as a family we also do pretty well all of those things too. I grew up in an age where turning stuff off you weren't using was standard MO anyway.
And I'm a member of at least two car clubs - this being one of them.
Twincam16 said:
Go green and save
By Nicolette Loizou
Last updated May 24 2005
Following a green lifestyle used to be thought of as a luxury only for those with the time and organisation skills available to apply it. Now in a world when it snows in May and the glaciers are melting, everyone should give green living a go
Going green has never been easier with hundreds of organisations and initiatives out there designed to help us. And not only will going green benefit the planet but the everyday living tips below will also help us benefit our bank balance. Here are a few of our favourite tips:
Top tips
1. Save on energy bills and make the planet happy by turning off appliances when they are not needed, turning off lights, closing doors and using half loads in the washing machine whenever it is needed.
2. Try and eat local, home-grown produce whenever possible. It is cheaper and far healthier. If you must go to the supermarket the main culprits to avoid are green beans (they’ve guzzled masses of air miles as they are usually flung over from Africa) and non-European avocados (likewise).
3. Companies have capitalised on the neurosis of new parents by flogging them inexpensive and planet destroying products they do not need. If you are a new parent the best thing you can do to save the earth and your cash is to avoid disposable nappies altogether. They are incredibly expensive, give babies’ nappy rash and permeate chemicals that persist for generations. Use rewashable nappies on the market instead.
4. What produces benzene (which is carcinogenic), carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide? Cars, of course. No-one is suggesting that you sacrifice your car but there are ways you can reduce the use of this very expensive addition to modern life. Perhaps the easiest way to cut down on car costs without sacrificing your motoring is to investigate Liftshare schemes and car clubs. You’re not expected to offer or accept a lift that you’re not happy about and your personal details are not made public. For further information click on the links below.
Liftshare (external link, window opens new browser)
Car Plus (external link, window opens new browser)
Switch to a greener energy supplier
5. Household cleaning products are crammed with nasty, allergy causing pollutants as well as being ridiculously expensive. You could try some cost-effective, earth-friendly alternatives. A few drops of aromatherapy oils such as the ones that are natural disinfectants like tea tree, lemon and lime work well diluted in water and used to wipe down surfaces. Another top tip is to wipe the floor with lemon quarters for fantastic shine and a fresh, clean smell.
How big companies exploit desperate housewives
6. Use a shopper bag instead of the plastic bags that the supermarkets always hand out. You may well be thinking that this kind of action won’t save you anything as they hand them out free but remember, nothing is free in the world of the multi-nationals. Although they might not be charging you at the check-out for your bags they are certainly passing on the costs elsewhere to your shopping bill if not contributing to the cost of your council tax in clearing it up.
7. Give up smoking. Toxic to the environment, toxic to your health and toxic to your bank account. Try hypnotherapy – it many cases all it takes is one session.
8. Pressure cookers and steamers both save energy because you can cook several different foods on one ring with them. Also, when boiling rice and pasta turn the heat off when it has reached boiling point and put the lid on until it is fully cooked.
Do they not realise how all of this is just guilt-ridden pissing in the wind?
And for the last timeWe are not aliens! Everything that happens on this planet comes from it. We do not 'kill' the planet, we are part of it. If anything, the planet's more likely to kill us - that's how insignificant we are.
Sorry, but this enforced self-flagellation drives me up the wall.
Hahaha. No personal offence intended Twincam, but you're talking utter shit.
RickApple said:
Twincam16 said:
MSN said:
Go green and save
By Nicolette Lazylittlebitchgetajobyouparasite
Last updated May 24 2005
Following a green lifestyle used to be thought of as a luxury only for those with the time and organisation skills available to apply it. Now in a world when it snows in May and the glaciers are melting, everyone should give green living a go
Going green has never been easier with hundreds of organisations and initiatives out there designed to help us. And not only will going green benefit the planet but the everyday living tips below will also help us benefit our bank balance. Here are a few of our favourite tips:
Top tips
1. Save on energy bills and make the planet happy by turning off appliances when they are not needed, turning off lights, closing doors and using half loads in the washing machine whenever it is needed.
2. Try and eat local, home-grown produce whenever possible. It is cheaper and far healthier. If you must go to the supermarket the main culprits to avoid are green beans (they’ve guzzled masses of air miles as they are usually flung over from Africa) and non-European avocados (likewise).
3. Companies have capitalised on the neurosis of new parents by flogging them inexpensive and planet destroying products they do not need. If you are a new parent the best thing you can do to save the earth and your cash is to avoid disposable nappies altogether. They are incredibly expensive, give babies’ nappy rash and permeate chemicals that persist for generations. Use rewashable nappies on the market instead.
4. What produces benzene (which is carcinogenic), carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide? Cars, of course. No-one is suggesting that you sacrifice your car but there are ways you can reduce the use of this very expensive addition to modern life. Perhaps the easiest way to cut down on car costs without sacrificing your motoring is to investigate Liftshare schemes and car clubs. You’re not expected to offer or accept a lift that you’re not happy about and your personal details are not made public. For further information click on the links below.
Liftshare (external link, window opens new browser)
Car Plus (external link, window opens new browser)
Switch to a greener energy supplier
5. Household cleaning products are crammed with nasty, allergy causing pollutants as well as being ridiculously expensive. You could try some cost-effective, earth-friendly alternatives. A few drops of aromatherapy oils such as the ones that are natural disinfectants like tea tree, lemon and lime work well diluted in water and used to wipe down surfaces. Another top tip is to wipe the floor with lemon quarters for fantastic shine and a fresh, clean smell.
How big companies exploit desperate housewives
6. Use a shopper bag instead of the plastic bags that the supermarkets always hand out. You may well be thinking that this kind of action won’t save you anything as they hand them out free but remember, nothing is free in the world of the multi-nationals. Although they might not be charging you at the check-out for your bags they are certainly passing on the costs elsewhere to your shopping bill if not contributing to the cost of your council tax in clearing it up.
7. Give up smoking. Toxic to the environment, toxic to your health and toxic to your bank account. Try hypnotherapy – it many cases all it takes is one session.
8. Pressure cookers and steamers both save energy because you can cook several different foods on one ring with them. Also, when boiling rice and pasta turn the heat off when it has reached boiling point and put the lid on until it is fully cooked.
Do they not realise how all of this is just guilt-ridden pissing in the wind?
And for the last time
Sorry, but this enforced self-flagellation drives me up the wall.
Hahaha. No personal offence intended Twincam, but you're talking utter shit.
No you are utterly deluded if you believe any of the inane wittering in the original post. There is no evidence at all that we, (humans) have any effect on the climate, the gravy train that is climate change is of course perpetuated by those who benefit from it by the creation of climate models in software. Thus climate change is garbage QED.
The largest producers of carcinogens by far is the diesel engines of public transport such as trains and buses.
Turning off many appliances reduces their service life and in most cases the energy cost of manufacture far exceeds the service life consumption.
Local produce = crap inefficient farming and the perpetuation of idleness and complacency.
The average family is stressed enough with a new baby without stinking the bloody house out with shitty nappies just to satisfy smug little sandal wearing public sector workers who read the Guardian.
Lift car bollocky stupid green non answer to the transport issue ideas are invariably idiotic. Public tranport is useless for anything other than liesure travel where the entertainment is the transport method. For everything else such as shopping, work or going on holiday, cars, taxis and planes are the only answer, for anyone who disagrees, get a life you sad loser.
One of the reasons we live longer is because we are cleaner. Aroma bullshit does not get rid of germs. These filthy green slime should be given their own settlement to live in, then we know where to send the RAF if they dont stop protesting against multinationals and progress.
I would love to swich to a green (Nuclear) energy supplier. It is inevitable that eventually we shall but we need to silence the greens first.
In short all of the top tips are crap. Enviroterror is the biggest threat to humanity today.
>> Edited by nonegreen on Monday 6th June 00:36
Nonegreen - you're talking out of your rear.
There are very few medium/large appliances that use more energy in their manufacture than in their lifespan. For an extreme example, 100W incandescent lightbulbs exceed the energy costs of production within a week. Air conditioners and refrigerators exceed this within the first few months of use, as do washers and dryers. It takes a few years for an automobile's in-use energy consumption to equal its energy consumption of production. The closest your statement comes to being true is with televisions and stereos.
The producers of this list are at least seven-for-eight; and for the vast majority of us, including most enthusiasts have hit the nail on the head. If you don't enjoy your commute, then why not be miserable with three neighbors in the car and take three cars out of the queues?
There are very few medium/large appliances that use more energy in their manufacture than in their lifespan. For an extreme example, 100W incandescent lightbulbs exceed the energy costs of production within a week. Air conditioners and refrigerators exceed this within the first few months of use, as do washers and dryers. It takes a few years for an automobile's in-use energy consumption to equal its energy consumption of production. The closest your statement comes to being true is with televisions and stereos.
The producers of this list are at least seven-for-eight; and for the vast majority of us, including most enthusiasts have hit the nail on the head. If you don't enjoy your commute, then why not be miserable with three neighbors in the car and take three cars out of the queues?
nonegreen said:
Lift car bollocky stupid green non answer to the transport issue ideas are invariably idiotic. Public tranport is useless for anything other than liesure travel where the entertainment is the transport method.
I was talking to another PHer earlier about this and he shares a car with someone else to work every day with no problems at all. I know it's hardly a complete solution but i'm all for people sharing cars when they can, and hence i can't see why it's a bad thing for it to be suggested that more people think about it
nonegreen said:
For everything else such as shopping..
I used to agree till i lived without access to a car and had to do my own shopping. Now i have to do a 30 minute walk to the shops which also means i don't like carrying any more back than i can fit in my rucksack - as a result i'm much fitter as i have to do it regularly and i eat more fresh fruit and veg as i'm there regularly so the life of it doesn't matter. I do realise i'm a student so have more free time than most so it's easy for me to preach but even so a lot of people who live in a town/city shop similarly and tbh i actually enjoy the walk now - it's utterly stress free aswell, no parking, no traffic and for once i'm the nutter pedestrian!
It's certainly possibly for many people to cut down car use a lot for mundane tasks if they plan better and put more effort in. nonegreen said:
One of the reasons we live longer is because we are cleaner. Aroma bullshit does not get rid of germs.
Not sure that this is entirely true. Certainly it is commonly believed that Asthma and Eczema have been and are on the rise because of the modern chemicals we use, and they can be pretty horrible conditions although i realise they barely impact on life expectancy.
Also concerning car fumes in general - i can tell the difference between the quality of the air in the relative countryside of Exeter and down in Cornwall, going to London is another degree of filth again. So i'm all for cars being less polluting, aswell as all forms of transport. The thing is unlike the environ-mentalists i realise that it's only economically viable up to a point and also life has to go on and more importantly be worth living. So sure, make cars do more MPG, if my Corvette does 25mpg instead of 23mpg that'd be awesome.
Maybe being a student is turning me into a raving lefty eh? Rob.
Most of those are fairly reasonable, except for the disposable diaper/nappy one, which really struck a cord with me. Are you going to put a rag full of poo with your clothes in the washer? Or leave it in the hamper until laundry day to stink up the whole house? You'd probably have to run everything twice, after the poo spread to everything the first time around. Otherwise, you'd have to rinse out the poo yourself, beforehand, which is just a repugnant task. Reusable cloth diapers are just a nightmare concept, and it's almost criminal that parents are guilted into using them. It's almost a quality of life issue not to have to deal so closely with the foul effluvia of your screaming little darling. Really. I've changed diapers a few times. You still pollute with the use of extra detergent and water with cloth diapers. Maybe they should just make the disposables more biodegradable.
>> Edited by seafarer on Monday 6th June 02:06
>> Edited by seafarer on Monday 6th June 02:06
nonegreen said:
The average family is stressed enough with a new baby without stinking the bloody house out with shitty nappies just to satisfy smug little sandal wearing public sector workers who read the Guardian.
Not only that, there was a recent Department of the Environment report that concluded disposable nappies are no worse for the environment than re-usable "clothies". The energy and detergents used in the 90 degree wash are just as bad as dumping disposables into landfill sites.
seafarer said:
Are you going to put a rag full of poo with your clothes in the washer? Or leave it in the hamper until laundry day to stink up the whole house? You'd probably have to run everything twice, after the poo spread to everything the first time around. Otherwise, you'd have to rinse out the poo yourself, beforehand, which is just a repugnant task.
You don't do any of those things. You drop the liner (which is just a piece of thick tissue) down the pan with the bulk of the faeces. You then put the nappy in a bucket with a lid on that contains a solution of vinegar, and every two or three days you put thaT load through on a whites wash. No trouble at all and certainly far less abhorrent than the knowledge that your children's nappies will outlive them for a couple of hundred years.
I find it mind-numbing that people can continue to deny the effects of pollution and global warming, despite their obvious intelligence. I've studied the subject fairly extensively and realise as well as you do that Earth's temperature and atmospheric composition has been in a constant state of flux since its creation, with far greater rises and falls in temperature than are occuring today. But it simply cannot be denied that something has to be done to limit our influence on the atmosphere; rejecting change is dangerous and idiotic.
I'm with Rick on this one.
Tell me London's air quality is nothing to do with man, and that it's acceptable. Just a small example.
Climate change may or may not be influenced by humans. But in an age when fossil fuels are running out and air quality in cities is appalling, I don't see why the idea of making individual efforts to cut energy consumption and curb pollution is treated with such derision on PH.
Tell me London's air quality is nothing to do with man, and that it's acceptable. Just a small example.
Climate change may or may not be influenced by humans. But in an age when fossil fuels are running out and air quality in cities is appalling, I don't see why the idea of making individual efforts to cut energy consumption and curb pollution is treated with such derision on PH.
RickApple said:
I [...] realise as well as you do that Earth's temperature and atmospheric composition has been in a constant state of flux since its creation, with far greater rises and falls in temperature than are occuring today.
Ok - with you so far, demonstrably true.
RickApple said:
But it simply cannot be denied that something has to be done to limit our influence on the atmosphere; rejecting change is dangerous and idiotic.
This however is either a total non sequitur, or a leap of faith. The atmosphere and climate have been in constant flux, forever, with no help or hindrance from humanity, and yet now it's all our fault; How does that work then Ted?
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