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Originally Posted by Red Mile Style
Exactly, that was what the one tonne challenge was all about. Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't a big fan of the Liberals, but at least the one tonne challenge got people talking about the effects of pollution.
The problem with making the evil "pro-environmentalists" look bad, especially compared to big businesses, is that the environmentalists have absolutely, positively, nothing to gain from cutting down emissions or ratifying Kyoto - either than making the planet healthier and cleaner. It is probably one of the most unselfish social movements in history. These people, myself included, want a healthy environment for everybody, not just stockholders. And I know this sounds cheese, but I would hate my children and grandchildren to be brought up in a world without polar bears or clean air - but that's just me.
On the other hand, you have big business which have A LOT more money to counteract, a lot more influence of policy, and A LOT more money at stake by environmental movements. They have a selfish agenda where Kyoto will directly affect their profits. It isn't like environmentalists inheritantly hate cars or want people to lose their jobs in the oil industry and the economy to plummit just because we have nothing else to do.
It isn't an all or nothing deal. We aren't asking people to go back to the stone-age... well, maybe some tree-huggers are... I understand there has to be a balance between resources, industry, the environment and the economy. This is the base of Kyoto, cutting down, not cutting out.
Big business is starting to realize how efficient alternative sources of energy is. Wal Mart, for example, is starting to put solar panels on their stores and using a unique way of heating their stores by restructuring the heat that radiates from the back of those huge refrigeration units. Big business is starting to understand the economic benefits of a more sustainable lifestyle. A strong economy and a cleaner planet do not have to be opposites.
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Agreed, but there are a lot of people out there that dont understand that there is a lot more to it than just changing. Big business is bound by what its clients want. Thats you and me. There hasnt been the push from the people for this kind of change and until there is they will be less likely to jump on.
The SUV was the most popular vehicle in the late 90's and early 00's. Car companies had hybrid SUV's but people wouldnt buy them because they didnt have enough power. Now that the price of gas is so high people are thinking twice. Some for environmental purposes, most because of their pocket book. The fact is unless people are willing to pay higher prices for new tech then it wont happen.
Its just like all these cloths factories in third world countries. people bitch and complain that home grown companies are getting outsourced but they are not willing to pay 10 bucks an hour for a Canadian or American to make the product. That would mean their $15 shirt would cost them $45.
Its really up to the people.