Going Green?

There has been a media in the last few years devoted to "Going Green." Even in the Christian media, the phrase "Creation Care" has been floating around. I've given this all some serious thought and find myself conflicted.

Even as a child, I was eager to recycle. My parents taught me to turn off the lights when I leave the room and make sure the faucet was turned off completely when I got a drink of water. (Mostly, I think, this was related to water/electric bills, not conservation.) I grew up in a rural farming community, and I believe in conservation--I really do!

But some of the things we're being asked to do in the name of environmentalism just don't make sense to me. First, let's look at those who are preaching this green light of hope. Al Gore, for example. Hmmm...he's not a scientist. His little movie was popular with Hollywood, but numerous scientists have taken issue with his "facts." And let's talk about Hollywood, the very picture of decadence. How am I supposed to take advice on being "conservative" from people whose lives are filled with oppulence and waste. Ditto on that one for Al Gore, too.

Global Warming is, at best, a theory at this point. We don't have definitive evidence. BUT, that said, I still think it's important to be savvy and conservative with our resources, especially fuel. I'm all for energy-efficient appliances (I have several) and anything that saves me money! But there are times when I just have to draw the line.

Cloth diapers, for example. When you consider the time involved (the folding, the pinning, the emptying the dirty ones into the toilet, the laundry, etc.) and the expense (good ones and covers can cost around $15 per diaper) and even the environmental impact (flushing the toilet for each dirty one, washing in hot water and detergent and/or bleaching), I just can't see cloth diapers as a viable option for me. And that's not even addressing the grossness factor!

Here's another one that concerns me. Several years ago, we were all told to get rid of our old mercury thermometers. Now, we're being told to install lightbulbs that have that same harmful substance. But, hey, they're good for the environment--so what if they're hazardous to our children. Does this make sense to anyone?

For now, I'll continue to recycle and turn off the water as I brush my teeth. I'll bundle my errands to save gas, and I'll buy energy-efficient appliances. I'll even use vinegar and water for most of my cleaning, instead of harsh chemicals. But until somebody can prove to me that humans are causing global warming, I'm going to be cautious about hopping on the green bandwagon.