Less babies, more gays
Not a diaper change goes by that I don't think about the impact my family has on our environment. Sure, we use efficient bulbs and appliances. We recycle. I use non-toxic cleaning products. Some of our food is organic. Robin buses to work.
BUT we have two kids.
Pretty much nothing green we do will make up for that. I just read this article that supports that assumption. While you can make the argument that raising green kids could make up for the damage, (which the article mentions), they would need to become Leonardo DiCaprio or Al Gore to make up for it.
Babies use lots of diapers. Because they poop a lot. Because they eat a lot. They get lots of clothes very dirty. They require a heated space to sleep and play. They require space in the car, which easily turns into space in the van. That guzzles lots of gas. They have plastic toys. A buttload of them. It's impossible - if you have half a conscience - not to feel a little bit guilty.
I admire people who have chosen not to have children, or to stop at one, or to adopt. I believe they're good and selfless, even if their reasons have nothing to do with the environment. Also, it makes me feel less guilty when I have friends who devote their lives to something other than child-rearing, be it art, literature, non-evil business practices, education, whatever. Because my kids will need interesting, inspiring role models when they are ready to decide about their own lives. (I'm not saying people with children can't be interesting or inspiring; we just have much less time to be.)
This is why I propose MORE GAYS.
Most gay people don't have children, which probably makes them the greenest people around. They contribute to society in important, smart, beautiful and admirable ways. The ones I know of (famous or not famous) make this world a better place in just about every way. I never met a gay I didn't love.
I want my children to live out their lives on a healthy planet. It's sort of a paradox to purport being a "green parent". I guess the onus is on us to make even more of an effort than others.
Sigh. Anyone know how to use cloth diapers? I bet if Ellen and Portia ever decided to have a baby, they'd use cloth.
Note: You can read a chat about the linked article here.
BUT we have two kids.
Pretty much nothing green we do will make up for that. I just read this article that supports that assumption. While you can make the argument that raising green kids could make up for the damage, (which the article mentions), they would need to become Leonardo DiCaprio or Al Gore to make up for it.
Babies use lots of diapers. Because they poop a lot. Because they eat a lot. They get lots of clothes very dirty. They require a heated space to sleep and play. They require space in the car, which easily turns into space in the van. That guzzles lots of gas. They have plastic toys. A buttload of them. It's impossible - if you have half a conscience - not to feel a little bit guilty.
I admire people who have chosen not to have children, or to stop at one, or to adopt. I believe they're good and selfless, even if their reasons have nothing to do with the environment. Also, it makes me feel less guilty when I have friends who devote their lives to something other than child-rearing, be it art, literature, non-evil business practices, education, whatever. Because my kids will need interesting, inspiring role models when they are ready to decide about their own lives. (I'm not saying people with children can't be interesting or inspiring; we just have much less time to be.)
This is why I propose MORE GAYS.
Most gay people don't have children, which probably makes them the greenest people around. They contribute to society in important, smart, beautiful and admirable ways. The ones I know of (famous or not famous) make this world a better place in just about every way. I never met a gay I didn't love.
I want my children to live out their lives on a healthy planet. It's sort of a paradox to purport being a "green parent". I guess the onus is on us to make even more of an effort than others.
Sigh. Anyone know how to use cloth diapers? I bet if Ellen and Portia ever decided to have a baby, they'd use cloth.
Note: You can read a chat about the linked article here.
posted by Anne at 10:15 AM
1 Comments:
Well, cloth diapers mean more loads of laundry - either for yourself or a service (and then probably don't use environmentally-friendly products either)!
No need to feel guilt over two kids :) Now, these people (http://www.duggarfamily.com/) should feel massive guilt over contributing to the overpopulation of the world. I doubt it however, because they appear to be as right-wing freaky deaky as it is possible to be.
Here, here to the gays!
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