You may or may not have noticed this past Saturday from 8:00 - 9:00 pm that many places in and around Chicago went dark to call attention to our consumption of electricity which produces greenhouse gases.
Here is a link to an article in Sunday's Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-world-lights-out,0,3671686.story
As you will read, this is a tradition that was started in Australia last year and this year it was hoped that 100 million people would participate.I was particularly struck by the following comment made by Richard Moss, vice president for WWF, World Wildlife Fund:
There's a widespread belief that somehow people in the United States don't understand that this is a problem that we're lazy and wedded to our lifestyles. (Earth Hour) demonstrates that that is wrong," Richard Moss, a member of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the climate change vice president for WWF, said in Chicago on Saturday.
What is your reaction to this comment? Do you agree that the perception is that Americans don't care about the environment? If so, what can we do to show the world that we are serious about taking care of the environment.
If you believe that we are doing enough give examples. Did you participate in "Earth Hour"? What do you to prevent global warming?
About Me
- Prof. Lisa Cherivtch
- I am a Professor of Business at Oakton Community College where I teach Introduction to Business, Global Business, and a variety of Marketing classes. I have over 20 years of experience in Product Development, Product Management, Sales, and Training. In addition, I am Liaison/Director for the International Trade Association of Greater Chicago. My passions are language learning, international travel, running, and dance. My teaching philosophy is to give students real-world experience in the safe environment of the classroom. While I do have a variety of things that I enjoy doing, teaching is definitely my greatest passion!
9 comments:
I think that Americans do care for the enviroment. The reason I say this is because I have traveled throughout most of the world and I have seen that most of the countries are not as eco friendly, for example most of asia is very polluted in there cities and when I was in europe I did not see any recycle containers. I think it all comes down to the fact that alot of countries have a bad feeling for the US with all the current issues so they are blinded to things that the US is doing well
i don't think that Americans do not care but there is nothing just a group of people can do in order for there to be some kind of effect the greater majority of the US would have to do something. sure its starting with things going green and all that but thats just helping a small fraction. as for earth hour i don't think it worked to well because the fact that different time zones had lights off at different times effects it alot but if everywhere the lights were off at the same time that would be a greater impact.
In today’s world of innovations and technological progress it is impossible not to pollute the earth. However, I think America is one of those countries that care a lot about their environment. For example, as Brent mentioned, there are no recycle containers in European countries. What is more, most of the developing countries there still don’t use electric lights that have longer live and save the energy. Also, the surroundings are continuing to be polluted. But I believe, people here are more informed about air and earth pollution than people in other countries and they are doing more to keep the earth clean. That’s why, the opinion that America doesn’t care about its environment is wrong because the United States is one of the major participants that stay against the global warming.
I think Americans are doing a lot more than most people think. Through my work I have seen firsthand how people are improving their homes to reduce their bills and help the environment. New energy-star appliances, tankless water heaters, new windows, and improved insulation are all ways to reduce the amount of energy we use in our homes. I have even seen high end homes that are using geothermal heating, solar panels, wind turbines, and water retention systems. A lot of new homes are being built with energy efficiency in mind.
I agree with you all. To say America doesnt care is foolish and ignorant. We care about it just as much as anyone else in the world. Maybe not every citizen living here cares but it is obvious that our government sure does. Look at Chicago for example; it is one of the cleanest big cities in the world and Mayor Daley has made it a priority of his to clean up the streets of Chicago. Chicago's bid at the Olympics in 2016 looks like a big possibility and then the world will see how clean it is. Look at Beijing, who is holding this years summer games, that place is so polluted I wouldnt go to the olympics for free.
Americans care, but it doesnt really matter. It is going to take a global effort to do anything major. I didn't even know earth hour was in existence. The dude writing the comments should have spent his time promoting earth hour or something useful rather than trying to gauge who cares more. Helping to clean the environment is going to take time and the cooperation of everyone.
I think that people are just recently realizing how bad the planet is getting but there are still many more out there that just dont see it. Earth hour was a good idea to get people to realize but like brad said i didnt even know when it was. they need to promote it more and try to get the word out to the public so that more can contribute.
I truely believe that most americans do not even know how bad the enviorment problem is. I blame work,lackness of education and lack of time put into informing the american people outside the big cities. In chicago it was very talked about since we were the example city for the U.S. but what about in pontiac Illinois, or Somewhere in the middle of kansas did they even know this happend. My parents and i participated because the news media asked us to. But if my parents wouldnt of watch t.v that day or tuned the radio they wouldnt of even known. We are all too busy with are everyday lives to talk to each othere, compared to australia or france.
I did infact participate in earth hour. I was actually at ISU at the time and we unplugged everything and went for a walk during that time only to see that most prople actually had their lights on and running. I dont think we do enough to help the cause. One hour out of the day..only one day that we can help just a little no one cares. I personally have studied global warming andi do little things that are in my comtrol to try to help. I have flouescnt light bulbs in my room, i turn off all electricty when not needed and i comstantly try to think of something i can do at that moment that would help. If only everyone realzed that we hurt the planet maybe theyll help out a little bit too. Im not sayng that people dont care.. jut that they do enough to help.
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