I calculated my carbon footprint this afternoon and learned that my negative impact on the planet is almost twice that of an average American. Apparently my flying habit makes me a total carbon whore. I know that there are ways to remedy my greedy carbon footprint ways (eg: planting a tree or hugging bunnies) but I'm not sure that I'm ready for environmental rehab just yet.
Don't get me wrong - the environment and I are total homeboys. In Amherst I had the pleasure of living with dirty hippies who taught me the delicate art of recycling, composting, and this activity called "car pooling" (aka: carless people bummin' a ride). While I don't spend my free time polluting rivers or tossing Micky D wrappers out of my carbon un-friendly vehicle, I have a very shameful secret that I'm going to share with y'all: I don't recycle.
I know that the lack of reduce, re-use, recycle in my life makes me a wholeheartedly bad person. Allow me to 'splain: I live in a one bedroom condo with limited storage. While I could probably make room for unsightly recycling containers, I don't want to. I would also prefer not to schlep my separated glass, newspaper, and soda bottles 200 yards to the designated recycling bins which currently house scary squirrel families (among other things).
I feel a deep sense of shame when guests approach me with an empty Sam Adams and ask me where the recycling bin is. With remorse in my voice I'll inform them that I don't recycle before cracking open my own Sam Adams to help me get over my politically incorrect humiliation. Someday when I own a home that's larger than three rooms I'll repay my debt to society by recycling every Herald, scotch bottle, and Ann Coulter computer print I lay my hands on. Until then my carbon footprint remains strikingly similar to my size 10 footprint.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Ditto, ditto, ditto! Living in BH makes it very difficult for recycling with no place to store it. My goal for 2009 is to buy something that looks pretty enough to store recyclables in my kitchen.
Size 10 that would make you proably at least 5'10 inches tall...maybe?
Anyway, I'm a recycling whore - I recycle everything that I can. As a matter of fact on trash day I have more recycled stuff than actual trash.
I wish, Rich. Sadly, I am a half foot shorter than your 5'10" estimate. Kudos to you on your recycling efforts.
FINALLY someone who could give a crap about recycling. I partake in recycling as well but I only started when I moved up to this tree-huggin' state. back at home I only knew a few people who recycled. heh
While I appreciate your honesty about not recycling I don't think its something that everyone should be celebrating about.
You are probably right in thinking that the problem will not affect us in our life time, but I am concerned for our kids environments and their kids. We helped create this problem and we should certainly do what we can to stop it. I am not talking about "hugging bunnies" but at least doing .05 can return is one thing. Small steps can help believe it or not.
Sorry for the rambling or being a tree hugger I just think everyone can do one little thing to help.
Post a Comment