I Am So Green
Well I am not really, the one thing I really dislike about Ireland is that I have to pay for plastic bags every time I go to the grocery store. I remember the good old days of PriceChopper where not a penny in my pocket went to pay to carry my own groceries out of the store. That being said I have come to accept the fact that everyone on this planet must become more environmentally progressive to ensure that future generations have a planet to live on and won’t have to live on the moon with me when I retire ( A childhood fantasy).
This recent debate on the price of oil is pointless and typical short-term thinking of the GOP. America needs to think in the long term and make a plan to embrace renewable energy. I want you to imagine a scenario where America is the leader in the world in terms of renewable energy, that can be a reality if America catches up to Europe and surpasses the EU in embracing green technology. When burgeoning economies like China and Russia exhaust their oil supplies, the majority of Americans will be using renewable energy therefore preventing the economy from suffering any impact from such a energy disaster.
The key is to start planning now and invest money in a green infrastructure that will be malleable to the changes within American society as more people adopt environmentally friendly ways of living. In that future, every American family owns a hydrogen powered car or electric car, where 50% of American households have solar panels attached to their houses making use of the abundant sunlight that we lack here in Ireland. This may sound like a pipe dream but it is something I hope for as I would not want any other country to be an example for environmental leadership than the good old U.S.A.
June 24 2008 11:16 pm | American Politics
June 25th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Seems I remember when Ireland banned the shopping bags it was because they didn’t like the way they blow around and stick to fences and hedges. Which is a good enough reason.
In the US, I think only San Francisco has banned them. There’s been a little bit of talk here and there about it, but I don’t think it will happen most places, because folks like them. They don’t take up significant landfill space, and they’re very reusable.
Some stores (Costco, Sam’s Club) don’t provide bags of any sort. IKEA has just started charging for theirs (and donates the money to some cause). Stores will do what they can to save money, so you may see more of that.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
You are right Gordon, just did a quick Google and that is what the BBC wrote way back when they started this process. It does make sense environmentally given the large amount of green everywhere. I still miss free plastic bags though as I feel like a thief every time I walk into a store with a bag.
I don’t imagine the U.S implementing such a procedure but maybe to raise some money because according to the Revenue department here, they are making millions on the tax.