Environmental awareness should be a sincere choice
(courtesy of www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au)
Last month when gas prices soared to around $4.50 a gallon, hybrid and ultra mile-per-gallon cars were at an all time craze. Now however, with the price of gas hovering around $2.05 per gallon, it would appear that the trend of every soccer mom in South county driving an Escalade is back again.
I understand this is trendy South county, and that cars are a status symbol, but come on, are we really naive enough to believe that gas prices are going to maintain their current price? This “any way the wind blows” pattern of consumerism is rampant in the Orange bubble.
Six months ago, some of these wanna-be environmentalists sold their gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks, and went for the more economical sedans and compacts. I suppose it just reaffirms the image of a shallow California, following the trends instead of setting one. I can’t help but wonder some days whether or not these people even realize that now is the time to go green.
Just yesterday, while on my way to Irvine Valley College for an assignment, I witnessed what can only be described as nothing short of a reversal of the ages. There in the parking lot were no less than four very large, very new Hummers.
I think people really aren’t paying as much attention to the environment as they think they are. They sell their larger-than-life vehicles in a vain effort to contribute to the Green revolution, but fail to complete the circle by using-single use plastic bags when grocery shopping.
Perhaps it’s just me, and my general annoyance of hypocrites, but those four drivers at IVC, had they decided to carpool, could have exponentially cut down on the emissions they are spewing into the already polluted environment. Now I’m not suggesting that we all need to stop driving. No, what we need to do is be a little more conscientious with the choices we make every day.
Get with the revolution, but not because your going to look cool doing it. Make those changes that matter to you, because ultimately, the decisions we make today, are still going to be relevant 100 years later.