i wouldn't describe myself as a hippie, but i'm of the opinion that if everyone does even a small part, it goes a long way. think about how many people are on the earth. one less bag a month per person multiplied by several billion people is A LOT. i'm also the same person that says, even if i run once a week, it's better than not at all.
Graaaadual baby steps. I agree people wont give up cars and planes and their lifestyles as a whole. I dont agree with the premise you used. You're basically saying if someone does 1 helpful thing they'll automatically find 1 or 2 additional harmful things to defeat the purpose. I'll take it to mean removing 1 out of 500 harmful acts is symbolic only. And people are still doing 499 other bad things. Still that doesnt mean even scratching 1 bad act off the board isnt improvement, even if its marginal. If I buy some canvas bags and tell my family about it, sure it might not lead to an at-home recycling system. But not gonna all of a sudden find some coal burning activities to do either. Plus dont forget the wealthy elite who profit greatly off eco un-friendly products and working proceduers who will NOT give up their business to go green.
I use whatever the grocery store gives me: typically plastic at the English-speaking stores and paper at the Mexican store. I have a few thousand bags stored in my pantry for use, so I throw the rest away. Macy's gave me one of the canvas bags one time. I bring my lunch to work in it.
As per the Kroger Foods Co. sacker training video circa 1996, plastic bags are the safest and greenest product in all of industrial history. Also, try to make small talk with the customer when you're bagging their groceries.
So instead of helping a little bit, it's better to not help at all. Your complicated thesis intrigues me. Tell me more.
Don't lie. You guys drive Priuses because you can't afford anything else after overpaying on your 1200 sq ft 1940s bungalows.
