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[REFUSE]

...it doesn't matter how many of us own a Prius. It's still a car.
...30% less plastic in a bottle is still 70% plastic.
...we don't know what "eco-friendly" actually means.
...no matter how green we are, our existence still harms the environment.
...we're only being manipulated into consuming a different way.
...we purchase green grocery bags only to fill them with plastic.
...third world countries don't have to try, and are doing better than we are.

[jiltedcitizen]

Move to a 3rd world country then.

[simon bernard]

Refuse man is saying that what´s been done is not enough. You think your entitled to luxury while others are not. Open your eyes either this world moves more or less together as a whole or it crumbles.
Refuse man is 100% right not enough is being done. where will your country be if india, brazil and china maintain progress under the new environmental laws. There are no "chosen people" in this world just blind ones. I live in a third world country and most of the people in the world live in third world countries so what are you doing for the world to show your gratitude for living in a megaconsumer rich and priviledged country?

[EarthIncentives]

I must guiltily admit that I DO fill my green bag with plastic wrappings. But thanks to THIS GUY, I'll pay more attention to that. 
As for everything else on your list, your 0% is a whole lot less than my 30%.

[simon bernard]

I do fully believe that every little bit counts, that´s the greatest thing ever. Even a moment of awareness is better than nothing, your absolutely right with 30% because it is the beginning of this great embark to live cleaner and thus healthier lives, i respect your comments.
The green movement is like any other it will start off slow then grow combining our ideas and actions then snowball into an influence that will change the minds of the most backward conventional profitters of polluting. Our world is that important. We have a higher purpose!

[shiela_robins]

I do fully believe that every little bit counts, that´s the greatest thing ever. Even a moment of awareness is better than nothing, your absolutely right with 30% because it is the beginning of this great embark to live cleaner and thus healthier lives, i respect your comments.
The green movement is like any other it will start off slow then grow combining our ideas and actions then snowball into an influence that will change the minds of the most backward conventional profitters of polluting. Our world is that important. We have a higher purpose!

Agree.  We can hope, right?  Great things do come from small beginnings.  It sounds so cliche but there is truth in it.

[KenCrawford]

Everytime I see a message where a concerned person feels that not enough is being done and that perhaps it does not matter, I am reminded of a story by Loren Eisley:

Once there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

Although at times it may seem like there is not enough being done, remember that every little bit you do was something that was not going to get done. Revolutions were started by a few who persisted despite the slow starts and despite the status quo. The green movement will persist. The revolution is still in its infancy.

[simon bernard]

The story is awesome, we keep doing our part knowing that despite the small scale of our efforts we make progress toward a healthier environment. I commend you on those wise words, many people judge the value of their lives by their salary, size of their car etc. Not on their positive effect on others or the environment.
There is a meaning to life but it can not be explained only felt.
People concerned with the environment have more chance at understanding this, and maybe confronting people who waste and pollute thinking that´s part of their freedom.
It´s time to see their freedom to pollute is disabling your freedom to live in a totally clean environmentally friendly great continent.
I personally hope America takes up the noble fight to revolutionize the world in being clean green. I was surprised to see so many americans interested in the cause. I was amazed to see such a contrast in attitudes since the dark era of bush(he gives it a bad name) good riddance.
Every little bit does count, i just don´t like being a martyr in front of people who couldn´t care less for the planet, but i will continue my part all the same.

[gogreen1]

 i was searching through google and i found this website http://helpmamaearth.com its about saving money and how to Help Mama Earth

[catchinggreatwaves]

Well some of what this guy says makes sense.  Giving up is not gonna help at all though, so at least everyone is trying and caring for the planet!

[Frank]

KenCrawford: Great story! Thanks for sharing

[Heritage Antique Lumber]

The green movement is just like anything else, with enough popularity and effort it will make the difference. I can't do anything about other people, but I can make the most effort myself. I reuse a ton, literally, I reuse thousands of pounds of reclaimed barn wood lumber to make what many of my customers refer to as works of art. Basically I am a wood worker with an imagination. A few million more people as passionate about sustainability as I am and there will be a difference. I don't command others to feel guilty for not recycling, I try a lighter approach by leading and inspiring. What I do is not hard, heck I love it, and I cant imagine a more rewarding profession for myself. 

Any way enough self promotion.
If you are looking for some inspiration to help green up our planet you can see what we have been doing to help the cause.

 [hug]http://heritageantiquelumber.com

[Earthhugger]

We are probaly doing mroe than you think. Just because it is not all over the news here. There are a lot of people as individuals who are doing a lot to help our planet.
I shop at the local fresh market and get almost everything our family needs. There is no plastic in anything I buy there. I take my own (homemade) reusable bags. Everything I buy there is either fresh and unpackaged, or some might be wrapped in aluminum foil.
I am not saying I am totally green, we cannot buy solar panels or a green car at this time. But we do drive in a way that conserves fuel, and we do practice energy conservation in our home.
People all over this country are making a difference all on there own. Maybe we will never the kind of government that makes going green a priority --- But We the People can change that all on our own. There are lots of things WE CAN DO. There are alternative energy sources we can get,the ideas are limitless. As a consumer WE have more power than you might realize when it comes to the products we are offered. It is simple-- Stop Buying The Things that are bad for the environment and to stay in business companies WIll make the products we Will buy.
Sorry getting off my ranting mode now. It just angers me whrn people say stuff like going green is a joke or that we have no control becasue we DO. Each of us can control weather we live Green and help our wonderful planet or Not.
Earthhugger