In a survey of 2,000 Britons asking what they would give up in exchange for free 50-inch plasma TV, about 50% responded that they would give up sex for 6 months, about 25% would give up smoking, and another quarter would give up chocolate. Although this survey is interesting, a lot of you might ask “what does this survey have to do with being green?” On a first thought, probably nothing – we just want to grab your attention.
But hold that thought now that we have your attention. The survey actually has more implications on the issue of energy consumption (and therefore to the issue of global warming). Consider the following: In the “The Ampere Strikes Back” report produced by the Energy Savings Trust in the UK (as highlighted by the BBC News), flat screen TVs and other digital gadgets are mentioned as the worst offenders in undermining the efforts to save energy because they are less efficient than older technology. It is estimated that by 2020, ”these gadgets will account for about 45% of electricity used in UK households.” This may sound depressing considering you already are in a mindset where you are doing the whole humanity a favor by giving up sex.
If you think you are already doing something for the green movement, consider the recent case in Sunnyvale, California where a homeowner couple was ordered by the court to cut their redwood trees in their backyard because they are blocking the neighbor’s solar panels. Both the couple and their neighbor consider themselves environmentalists. We agree that it is a tough choice. Who is right, which green values to choose, and which takes precedence and importance?
In developing countries like the Philippines, where the Sunnyvale case may appear ridiculous and laughable, the enormity of choosing between legislating environmental-friendly laws and meeting basic economic needs still predominates the debate. For example, although about 75% of Filipinos (based on a 2007 Social Weather Stations survey) think that global warming should be addressed, most of them believe that this should be done gradually.
So what is our point in bringing these things up? We do not want to be alarmists nor too negative. But we believe that it is important that everyone acknowledges that the issues of the environment and global warming are important. We believe that the debates and decisions that come out of such discussions must be guided by reason and scientific facts. We believe that we should consider their long-term effects not only on our lives but on others as well. As individuals and as members of a global society, we have a choice to make.
So . . . the next time you decide to give up sex and are swayed instead by the allure of the high-definition images from your plasma TV, think long and hard. You never know if you are contributing to global warming.
Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin
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