Americans are often exhorted to be more like Europeans in the environmental department. We're told to buy less! Leave the SUV at home and ride your bike more often, or take public transport! Fix old appliances rather than replace them! And of course, environmentalists constantly whine that the U.S. government has yet to ratify the Kyoto protocol like our more enlightened continental friends.
Yet it seems that perhaps the Europeans aren't quite as concerned about being green as our media and other global warming cheerleaders purport them to be. Reuters reported yesterday that at IFA, a huge consumer electronics fair being held in Berlin through September 5th, consumers were more interested in how big and bright television screens were than how green the electronics companies are striving to be.
Among the exhibitors displaying "green credentials" at IFA are Philips, Sharp, and Fujitsu-Siemens, with the latter citing a Greenpeace study that said environmental concerns were third on the list of important attributes for buyers. But it looks like attendees at IFA didn't get the memo:
But most visitors to whom Reuters spoke at IFA seemed uninterested or even confused when asked what importance green concerns had in their buying choices.
Richard Lee, a 35-year-old electronics engineer, shrugged when asked whether he preferred green products. "I prefer Japanese products," he said, prying the back off a high-definition TV monitor to peer at the inner components.
And another attendee quoted even wondered if environmentalism and luxury electronics could be reconciled:
"I saw one big one showing images of the Arctic and the melting ice caps, and I thought: This is a bit ironic, because probably it is part of the problem," [Frank Schmitz] said.
Ironic indeed. Here at home, we have presidential candidate John Edwards advising Americans to chuck their SUVs while he continues to own and use two of his own, which are parked in front of his extremely spacious home. We also have the current king of environmentalism, Al Gore, jetting to and fro across the globe in a private plane -- despite the fact that doing so creates four times more the carbon emission damage than joining the teeming masses on a commercial jet. Don't forget, Gore also wipes his feet at an extremely large house with an equally large utility bill. Yes, Gore pays for "carbon offsets, " as does Edwards -- but offsets have been called into question as a scam, and can be compared to "papal indulgences," or buying salvation, that helped lead to the Reformation back in the 16th century.
Having gone from monarchies to socialist governments, Europeans seem less likely to question edicts from on high by their "social betters" than Americans, who back in 1776 said "enough is enough" to such high-handed, ham fisted tactics. But with the Brits thinking maybe global warming is being hyped in order to raise taxes and Germans using their wallets, not "green credentials," to decide if they should buy a new television, maybe those days are coming to and end?
It's early days yet, of course. But don't expect the American media to make much of these and other developments on the other side of the pond. They still believe in Al Gore, carbon credits and pixie dust.
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Green with
September 4, 2007 - 13:07 ET by TruthMongerGreen with envy:)!
Protest Craig's conservative abandonment - vote Democrat in 08'
Protest Criag's conservative abandonment - vote Democrat in 08?
September 4, 2007 - 13:46 ET by Lame CherryWhy not really protest if that is the issue and just hand the title to America over to the Chinese communists and have it done with so Democrats won't have to sell it off bit by bit.
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thanks - I'm looking for
September 4, 2007 - 16:56 ET by TruthMongerthanks - I'm looking for more ideas:)!
Protest Craig's conservative abandonment - vote Democrat in 08'
Not going to happen
September 4, 2007 - 23:15 ET by PopularTechHell would have to freeze over before I ever voted for the Democratic Party. The only parties I would even consider are Republican, Libertarian or Independent.
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
No Pam. Its just the moss
September 4, 2007 - 13:10 ET by bassndudeNo Pam. Its just the moss that grows on them while they are waiting on their check from the goverment.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Heh...
September 4, 2007 - 13:17 ET by Pam MeisterIs that moss or mold?
Moldy moss? Save a SeAL,
September 4, 2007 - 13:18 ET by bassndudeMoldy moss?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Ding ding ding!
September 4, 2007 - 13:22 ET by Pam MeisterWe have a winnah!
Woo Hoo!! I won! I won! I
September 4, 2007 - 13:33 ET by bassndudeWoo Hoo!! I won! I won! I won what? Do we get money for this?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
It's hair...
September 4, 2007 - 13:23 ET by MightyMouthespecially on the chicks!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Ewwww. MM, please dont
September 4, 2007 - 13:34 ET by bassndudeEwwww. MM, please dont remind me.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
They still believe in Al
September 4, 2007 - 13:40 ET by Conservative in the ArtsThey still believe in Al Gore, carbon credits and pixie dust.
When anyone says "I don't believe in faries, another one drops dead to the ground!" - Peter Pan
Now, I don't want to have to explain to my 2 year old how the internet killed one of her favorite play dress up.
Pam Meister: another one of those evil, gas gusseling SUV driving, destory the earth, right-wing, uber closed minded, TINKER BELL Killing conservative.
Green Europe
September 4, 2007 - 13:43 ET by Lame CherryApparently no one here is discussing the post, but here goes.
Once upon a time the Scythians moved into Europe and became the Celts, Gauls, Goths, Angles, Saxons, Normans, Vikings and Royal Scyths from Israelite exile. They then pushed into what are now the western free states of the world into America.
Following them were Assyrian and Babylonians coupled with the sons of Japheth........meaning the Germanics, southern Italians and Slavs.
Europe at that time was a vast forest........remember the nursery tales of not going into the woods or you would get lost and a wolf would eat you. These last Europeans then went on a forest cutting spree, land raping spree and a king shoot thy deer and all game spree that defoliated Europe and killed it's critters.
The eastern Slavs into Hungary and Poland kept their lands quite well, but the rest of these central Europeans turned their nations into cinder pits and had to go out and import what they no longer had.
Europeans are 2 different tribes and neither of them were the most adept at conservation or land use.........those issues were actually fostered by Americans after our continents were raped by the Europeans and Indian empires. Yeah we blew the buffalo off but that was humane warfare instead of exterminating the Indians.
Modern Europeans are the same as the ancient ones. They talk a whole lot about morals and environment, but the people who cared about it left to Oz to the colonies. The Europeans though who stayed enjoyed orgies and roasting the last wild boar.
Europe has always been like liberals in New York.........you the redlands people die off and keep a place for critters while I in my condo squash the last web footed mouse tit as I cruise in my BMW.
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But most visitors to whom
September 4, 2007 - 14:56 ET by taznarPersonally, I like a strong green channel, as long as it doesn't wash out the red, making skin tones appear somewhat sickly.
Don't know why anyone would be confused by the question.
That would be because no
September 4, 2007 - 15:51 ET by dscottThat would be because no matter how big the TV gets, it will never ever use as much electricity as an air conditioner. The average European does not have an air conditioner!!!! That's the sole reason why Europeans use less electricity than Americans. Why do you think they have no problem with stopping Chinese made CFLs to replace incandescent light bulbs? They are in no rush despite the public pronouncements to the contrary. In fact the whole AGW nonsense is just an excuse to develop indigenous industries to sell products and employ their own people, hence all the wind turbines made in Europe. This is nothing more than a public works project in disguise to pump prime their economy.
dscott's postulate: The degree to which someone exaggerates or deceives is inversely proportional to the merit of the advocated position.
From my point of view.
September 4, 2007 - 16:41 ET byI can't comment on all of Europe as I haven't seen it all yet, but the Czech Republic, and Germany are pretty much like Australia, in that they have the kind of recycling I've grown up with in Oz. No glass, plastic, or aluminium gets thrown away (in fact we are paid to take it back) and steel and paper are gladly taken, but not paid for unless in large amounts. Germany is the most advanced I have seen.
England is not green. At the moment, I live here, and I am embarassed. They are only just discovering what I knew as a child, 40 years ago, where littering and recycling are concerned.
England is filthy dirty -
September 4, 2007 - 17:03 ET by TruthMongerEngland is filthy dirty - but they use space amazingly well - now I realize how America wastes way too much space...
Too bad Australia can't sell some...they're set for a while...
Quite a few brits I know have immigrated to oz - as part of the commonwealth it's relatively easy - and i'd move there, too if i could - but they won't let Americans in any time soon I guess...
For now I'm still stuck in the what used to be a great nation...
Protest Craig's conservative abandonment - vote Democrat in 08'
They do use space amazingly
September 4, 2007 - 17:13 ET byThey do use space amazingly well; you're right. London has three times the population of Melbourne, and Melbourne is four times bigger than London.
I thought Australia was taking Americans? That's weird. I know the US has allowed more Green cards for Australians, but they were less keen on me because I have British citizenship too. That was also weird; both being allies.
We could swap! Do a cultural exchange for a year or so? (to Oz, not UK)
Eye,
September 4, 2007 - 20:54 ET by BlondePlease, do.....tell me all about how you recycle.
And how you think it's advantageous. I'm dying to know.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I'm sorry, I didn't realize
September 5, 2007 - 14:27 ET byI'm sorry, I didn't realize recycling was offensive. I'm pretty sure (Blonde) that you have stated in an earlier post that you are an environmentalist in that you want cleaner air, and safe economic efficiencies. You just didn't want to go along with AGW or government-forced reforms. I'm going from memory. I could be wrong.
Funny, the MSM decries what
September 4, 2007 - 17:24 ET by Chris NormanFunny, the MSM decries what they call a low standard of living for "the working class" here, but find it praise-worthy if it's in Europe and think we should be emulating them. Consistency is not their forte...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
They are also in denial and don't believe in Kyoto
September 4, 2007 - 20:20 ET by PopularTechPublic 'in denial' about climate change (Telegraph.co.uk)
UK public rejects Kyoto Protocol (International Policy Network)
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
Good global citizens? Ha!
September 6, 2007 - 06:38 ET by UnsaneThe July/August edition of Foreign Policy likewise pours cold water on the myth of Europeans being "good global citizens", and they take aim at their flouting of the Kyoto Protocol in order to do so.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.