10 Activities to Turn Green That Never Hurt the Environment Anyways
Posted at 5:00 AM Oct 28, 2008
By Bonnie Ruberg
Everything we humans do leaves a carbon footprint -- but some things we do leave less of a footprint than others. That's why it's amusing when common folk and news teams alike try to make a big deal about turning everyday, harmless activities -- like drinking -- into "green" measures for the environment. Sure, we all want to help, but we have to be realistic, too.
Unless, wait, that's it! Let's turn all of our activities green, even the ones that never really hurt the environment in the first place. Then we'll all feel less bad about our oil consumption when we drive to Starbucks. Here's a list of ways we can help that aren't helpful at all:
10. Cupcake baking
If you think baking cupcakes never hurt anybody, you're wrong. The heat from your ovens, oh cupcake bakers, is slowly increasing the temperature of the globe. Why not try a recipe for no-bake cupcakes. They're pretty liquidy, but the knowledge that you're doing something good for the environment will help you through the effects of salmonella.
9. Knitting
Knitting is probably the most innocuous thing you could ever do. That's why it's time to turn it green. Research the company you buy your yarn from. Then research the farmers from whom those companies buy their wool. Then research the sheep who live on those farms. Are they fed grass and other organic, non-toxic foods? Well, are they?
8. Taking walks
Strolling down the street on a sunny day may be a pleasant way to unload your mind. Do it without thinking of the future, however, and someday there may not be streets to walk down. Try dragging a motion-powered generator behind you, so you can create clean energy as you move. Do it for long enough and you might have enough power to turn on your night lamp.
7. Sunbathing
Don't just tan. Instead, tan with a bathing suit made from solar panels. That way you'll be destroying your skin while you save the earth. At least somebody wins.
6. Talking on the phone
When we humans breathe out, we emit carbon monoxide, which isn't good for the greenhouse effect. When we blab away on the phone for hours, we emit even more harmful gases. Got something to say? Send your friend a text. It's what Al Gore would do.
Comments
we breathe out carbon dioxide not monoxide, sorry but if we breathed out the former there be alot more people suffocating to death
nifty list just thought i should point that out
Posted 10/28/2008 at 02:26:55 PMAnyways? Really? Was this post written by a twelve year old? Perhaps you meant "anyway".
Nice point, Arkz.
This is part of SF Weekly, yes? Let's try to keep the quality up to SF Weekly standards, mkay?
Posted 10/29/2008 at 07:19:52 PM6. "When we humans breathe out, we emit carbon monoxide"
uh, perhaps in trace amounts, but, like all mammals, mostly we exhale to expel carbon DIoxide, which photosynthetic plants need to live.
1. Choosing a baby name may not have much of an effect on the rapidly worsening situation of climate change, but HAVING a baby certainly does. Make less consumers, and we'll consume less. You can recycle, drive a hybrid, shun air travel, replace all your incandescent bulbs with CFLs, and more. however, nothing prevents less human impact on the environment than simply not reproducing.
Posted 10/29/2008 at 07:27:49 PM