the Wealthy Canadian

Well it’s Blog Action Day today, so I assume that the entire ‘blogosphere’ is talking about the environment. This article will represent my two cents.

Many people believe that the environment is in danger. We are polluting and consuming a great deal of resources. Anybody who lives near an industrial facility probably witnesses the smoke billowing into the sky, or you might have a lovely view of a coal strip mining project near your house. It is easy to blame industry for its transgressions because it is so visible that they are the causes.

However, the question to ask yourself is why are they in business in the first place? To serve you; well to make money but they cannot do that without you. Industry is busily drilling away for oil, mining for gold and manufacturing widgets for you. Our need to heat our homes, drive cars and have stuff is what puts these industries in business.

I am sure that some companies could be more environmentally friendly. However, I do not think that it is fair that we condemn them alone without taking a look at ourselves. What can we do? Make smarter choices. I’m going to quote an earlier post:

My point is that personal finance and saving the Earth can be achieved with a similar strategy; “Spend less than you earn.”
* Instead of the largest house that the bank will finance you for buy a smaller one, you’ll pay less in utilities (and less pollution).
* Instead of commuting in an H2 consider a Camry, you’ll pay less in gas (and less pollution).
* Instead of commuting in a car consider public transit, there are tax credits for your buspass (and less pollution).
* Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy less, pay less and it’s less pollution less for the landfill.
* etc