Toker's Carbon Neutral Challenge Grows

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Not picking on you, but this quote is totally asinine. The average north american with all of our "clean energy" use 11X (yes, ELEVEN EFFING TIMES) the amount of energy than the Chinese. Maybe we should de-louse our own closet before we go point fingers at the country that produces all my audio cable and teen pron?

The planet doesn't care about per capita stats. Per capita or not, a billion people in China harm this globe far, far, far more than 30 million Canadians do.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

And why do anything when places like China are just going to continue their polluting ways. Our pollution is a drop in the bucket compared to theirs, so why ruin our economy for nothing?

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Not picking on you, but this quote is totally asinine. The average north american with all of our "clean energy" use 11X (yes, ELEVEN EFFING TIMES) the amount of energy than the Chinese. Maybe we should de-louse our own closet before we go point fingers at the country that produces all my audio cable and teen pron?

Two points that need clearification. First off, China - like any other developing countries - sacks its environment so the economy can grow. Once a country starts to become move into first world status, they start to clean up their environment and their standards. Read up on how China has shored up on their standards the past 5 years Bobblehead, its very well documented in most major scientific publications.

Also, I think people are confusing dirty with pollution cause of things like SARS. Places like Beijing and Shanghai might be a lot cleaner versus 10 years ago, but the non-major cities are a ceasepool of breading diseases. Horrible as far as health standards go, but not really the cause of pollution.

Don't think the 1st world doesn't have their hands dirty in this, though. Look at some of the plants major US companies have in South America, like Peru. Just because the operations arn't in North America, doesn't mean its not our fault - it very much is.

To Trad's - the reason is, very likely, most of China is still villages of poverty while someone in LA is driving 2 hours to work on the highway. I wouldn't say Canada/USA is 11x's worse then the China, because those villages make China look artificially good.

Also, a consideration that has to be taken into place is, developing countries are just installing their infrastructure while 1st world countries already have infrastructure there while developing countries have a chance to choose which direction they want to design their infrastructure. Calgary will always be a driving city, and it will be very hard to change that. Anywhere in California will always be a network of highways and tons of CO2 emissions while cars snail along on the highway - and that really isn't going to change. Its interesting to see what these developing world can do - contrary to Bobblehead's belief - for environmentally friendly infrastructure development. Just look at Dongtan.

[wittynickname]

Rather than arguing the methods of Suzuki, why not focus on the positive effects that this initiative has had.

Beyond the carbon credits purchased--you now see more and more players owning Hybrid vehicles. Another article mentioned that many of the Bruins are now carpooling to games/practices, or riding bicycles to the arena (as Ference himself does.) The Sabres have started their own green initiative "Blue and Gold make Green."

Players are choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly. Teams are finding ways to make their buildings more green-friendly. The league itself is taking steps to lessen its negative footprint on the earth.

Whether or not you believe that global warming is a real problem, whether or not you agree with Suzuki's methods--the fact of the matter is that Ference and players like him are at least doing SOMETHING positive. They're attempting to lessen their effect on the environment.

What other sports league do you see with a league-wide green initiative? In all honesty, others may have them, I haven't researched it. But this is by far the most widely talked about in the world of professional sports, and it was spearheaded by Ference (who practices what he preaches in pretty much every way. He's a hippie, sure, but you can't call him a hypocrite.), and that is a very awesome thing for him as a player, a (semi-)celebrity, and as a person.

[Resolute 14]

Ference is awesome, and the League is awesome for what they are doing. Energy efficiency is one of a great many reasons why both the Flames and Oilers (and Pens) need new buildings.

The need to kick Suzuki to the curb is a side story, really.

[Azure]

Look at it this way. NHL players are in a position to go green. They made a crap-load of money, can afford hybrid cars, solar power, etc, etc.

Ference is merely out there trying to get more people involved.

I think Suzuki is a whackjob, nor do I think solar is the answer to all our problems. But it is something. And a lot more than most environmentalists are doing.

[Canuck-Hater]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Ference is awesome, and the League is awesome for what they are doing. Energy efficiency is one of a great many reasons why both the Flames and Oilers (and Pens) need new buildings.

The need to kick Suzuki to the curb is a side story, really.

Yeah it is a side story, but hey Suzuki did help him with some ideas on how the nhl could leave less of an impact on the environment. Its a good thing Ference is doing, I support it all the way.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by enthused

The one thing that I don't get though is how come only 420 players have contributed so far? I highly doubt there's a single player in the league who can't afford to fork over a couple hundred bucks... unless they think they're too cool to do something "green"...

.......