Ironic to hear this lecture coming from an Australian, considering that Australia produces a smaller share of electricity from renewable sources, and releases more greenhouse gases per capita, than the United States. Not to mention that you guys are the fattest country on Earth, and display the fastest-growing greenhouse gas emissions of any developed country. Even with the massively more concentrated population, Australia's economy has roughly the same energy intensity as that of the United States. This suggests that you all are actually much worse about energy conservation than Americans. Indeed, that is exactly what one would expect in the world's largest coal exporter, with its attendant dirt-cheap prices for (non-renewable, polluting) electricity. So maybe you all should take a break from shovelling coal into every power plant from Tasmania to Hokkaido, and clearing your paltry remaining forests, and instead ponder how you came to be worse than the hated Yanks in every area we're supposedly so bad about. And, while you're at it, come up with some environmental rhetoric that isn't built on crude xenophobia about arrogant Americans. Unless, of course, the "millions of like-minded thinkers" category was meant to include most Australians (and, for that matter, Canadians and any number of other nationalities). It certainly didn't read that way, though.
Very little drinking water comes from treated wastewater in the United States. It's used for irrigation, cooling in industry, and things like that, but only a handful of places actually put treated wastewater back into the drinking water supply. There have been more and more initiatives to do more of this in recent years, what with growing populations in places like Southern California and Arizona, but as of yet it is not happening on a large scale.
it's a symptom of capitalism. it isn't that america is bad. when this country was forging itself out of granite none of this would even be an issue.
I have a couple of points about this thread. First, the title lumps a group into a category and with assumed negative connotations. Obviously, this man cannot be helped. Plus, he is 'mad.' The main point, all emotions aside, was the identification of ways to reduce consumption. I think that we should promote ways to all live functionally. I understand that wiping our asses is a necessary action, but maybe a positive measure in this thread would be useful, and more useful than venting opposition. In that respect, a toilet with an ass sprayer would be an alternative. The amount of water needed is quite minimal and could be coupled with toilet paper in a reduced amount due to less need. Possibly, a total rethinking of the process could be done. A permanent scrubber could be implemented, of course there would have to be a way to keep it sanitary. I dont know if this is possible. However, the problem lies in the one directional production and use of toilet paper. Trees -> butts -> end of the line. That is not sustainable. Are there any solutions?
Some Green members are sincere in their love of nature and their desire to "protect" Mother Earth, but it's the rest of the politically-oriented anti-consumer, anti-corporate, anti-capitalist, anti-American, anti-humankind Socialists that force me to continue driving my Hummer in opposition to their thinly veiled activism. Speaking of the "Green Movement" I think I have to go wipe some more... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Absurd may be a bit too weak of a word for these people and their agendas driven by an apparent abhorrence for just about anything humans do, except maybe dying. That's probably considered the greatest thing anyone can do.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! What's wrong with using hemp or some other easily renewable fiber for toilet paper? Why does it have to be trees that provide all the fiber? That's the question everyone should be asking.
Good point. Trees have many roles more useful than smaller plants. The clear cutting practices are also a major detriment to forests. However, the thinning of trees has major benefits and would reduce the soil erosion experienced by clear cutting. I agree that using a different plant is a good area to begin focus. Much plant waste exists after harvest of crops. Plus, growing specific plants could be useful. Well done
Rainforests aside, which sometimes provide unique solutions to medical problems that we face, people need to disconnect themselves from the romantic notion of trees. If you see them as a CROP, just like corn or wheat, then most of the ZOMG CLEAR CUTTINGGGG!!@!@# goes away. They are a renewable resource for god's sake! Less trees = more expensive wood = more planting of trees AND more consideration for things such as hemp toilet paper. The economy has a natural way of correcting these things without all the hype and panic.
You forgot a vital part of the equation: Plant more trees!!!! Trees are not oil. They are a renewable resouce. Or, as suggested by another poster, use another plant such as hemp to make TP.
I guess we'll just all have to walk around with shit running down our legs. That will help with overpopulation as well.
Not necessarily: in days of olde, when men were bold And paper was not invented Man wiped his arse, with a blade of grass And walked away contented Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I'm so sorry for these idiots. I'm from Canada, I swear! Look at my birth certificate! :bawl: Edit: James's is obviously not one of the idiots I'm referring to, if you couldn't tell.
Well, maybe they could import toilet paper from India--no problem with soft toilet paper there, from my experiencePlease Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!