1. Clean coal will save the world.Clean coal is an oxymoron. Mining coal has
huge negative environmental effects: it produces CO2 and
methane, both
greenhouse gases; it produces radioactive waste; it interferes with groundwater and water tables; it causes mine subsidence (cave-ins from a surface level; often houses etc are built over mines and are in danger of damage from subsidence); it causes acid mine drainage from exposed coal surfaces. In addition, strip mining completely eliminates existing vegetation, destroys the genetic soil profile, displaces or destroys wildlife and habitat, degrades air quality, alters current land uses, and to some extent permanently changes the general topography of the area mined and adversely affects
biodiversity.
And that's just the mining part. Any time coal is burned, regardless of the technology used, there are emissions. So I will say it again: there is no such thing as "clean coal." So-called
Clean Coal Technology actually is a huge energy waster, using 10-40% of a power station's resources. In addition, even though this technology removes many of the emissions from the burning process (while simply diverting it to a different
waste stream), it still doesn't address CO2, which is a major greenhouse gas. And the technology is very expensive to produce; estimates are that moving toward it will increase consumer electricity costs up to 90%. The whole "clean coal" idea is a major example of
greenwashing.
2. GM crops will save the world.Genetically-modified crops have been around ever since humans first ventured into agriculture. So what's the big deal about
GMO? Plenty. These days, genetically-modified crops are being bred to combat specific things like resistance to pests and disease, and are touted as worldsavers. GM crops are said to have higher yields and therefore are justified as being a lifesaver to hungry areas of the globe. But the fact is, most GM crops are raised to feed livestock, not people, or used to create
biofuels and highly-processed non-nutritious food products. GM crops themselves are often less nutritious than their non-GM counterparts; studies have shown that they take up fewer nutrients from the soil. And, contrary to what greenwashers like
Monsanto (developers of widely-used GM crop hybrids) say, they frequently have a lower overall yield than non-GM crops.
The way to feed the hungry people of the globe is to give them better access to land, water, education, and infrastructure. Period.
3. People in developing nations should stop having so many babies.The major consumers of the earth's resources are the residents of highly-developed nations. You and me. The people whose water usage, for example, is 2 gallons a day (procured from a stream or well half a mile away), have a pretty small
environmental footprint. They are not the problem. They are not the generators of the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions. No, that's us, people who live in highly-developed countries and who drive cars, own computers, dry clothes, water massive lawns, and heat houses with oil, electricity, and gas.
That's not to say that overpopulation isn't a problem, but it's an overall global problem, not limited to specific parts of the world. The problem starts when developing nations feel they have to play catch-up with their consumption of resources. They want to consume at the same levels as high-income nations. Look what's happened in China with the proliferation of coal-fired plants and massive amounts of pollution, most of it generated beginning relatively recently.
A better solution would be to decrease consumption at the top levels (that's you and me) while increasing consumption at the bottom levels (those developing nations we like to blame) while at the same time allowing their population growth to slow with the advent of education, economic opportunity, and income equity.
4. Eco houses are difficult and expensive to build.Phooey. Energy-efficiency is easier than we think. A well-designed passive home with energy efficient windows requires markedly less heating and cooling than conventionally-built housing. Existing technologies combined with common-sense design can increase energy efficiency by 35 percent and reduce heating costs by 80 percent for the average building in industrialized markets. Imagine the energy savings! Not to mention the reduction in drain on resources and the burden on the greenhouse gas emissions we spew out daily from so many sources.
The truth is that highly energy-efficient and
sustainable homes can be built for less than people believe.
A recent survey by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development shows that we believe that green building methods cost nearly 20% more than conventional construction, whereas in reality the difference is closer to 5%. Only 5% more but look what you get in return! Buildings already represent approximately 40 percent of primary energy use globally, and energy consumption in buildings is projected to rise substantially in the world's most populous and fast growing countries such as China and India, so why not make new construction green? Germany is thinking about this: they are working on solar panel installation across the nation, and Germany isn’t particularly known for its excessive sunshine, you know? Green technology is adaptable to many climates around the world, and the return on investment is vast. And that investment is less than we think.
5. Being green costs a lot.Wrong again. But you do have to be smart. For example, want to be a meat-eater? Fine. Then consider
grass-fed,
organic meats. They take less toll on the environment and they’re better for you. Expensive, you say? Well, yes. Then do like people do in many countries do and use meat as a condiment rather than making it take a starring role in your meals. The meat won’t mind, I promise. Or eat
vegetarian for some of your meals. You can eat fabulous meals of fresh, organic veggies—and a little quality meat—for the same money you’d be spending to scarf down meat-and-potatoes meals.
What about organic this and organic that? Do organic things really matter? Well, yes and no. So do your homework. Think you need expensive organic cleaners?
Armed with only vinegar, a spray bottle, and a rag or post-consumer-recycled paper towels (which you can later compost),
you can clean almost everything in your home. Add in baking soda, which costs next to nothing, and maybe some essential oils like lavender and tea tree oil (which not only smell good but have anti-bacterial qualities to boot), and you’re set. Suck it, Lysol!
And it’s not just food and cleaners. You can apply a mixture of common-sense, a little homework, and some fresh DYI and find that being green is not more expensive. But it is smarter. And it will make you feel good about your part in this great big global thing we’ve got going on.
6. There's nothing you can do.Wrong. There's plenty you can do. Every small green step you take on a personal level has not only a cumulative effect but also puts you in more and more of the green mindset. You become aware of your actions. It's mindfulness, but in green terms. So yes, hanging your clothes up to dry makes a difference.
Composting your food scraps makes a difference.
Eating local foods and supporting local small farms makes a difference.
Walking or
biking when you can makes a difference.
Using greener cleaners instead of pouring chlorine bleach down your drain makes a difference.
Simplifying your life makes a difference.
Creating a backyard habitat for animals makes a difference. Being aware of where your dollars go makes a difference.
