Does it annoy you when people with big families preach about "living green"?

Question

It does me. Overpopulation is the biggest factor in destroying our planet. So when somebody has four or five kids and is telling me to recycle, I think, what's the point? I could recycle everything that comes into my house, but it's not going to counteract the impact your big family is having on the environment.

It's almost as annoying as "Please Recycle" and "Save the Earth" bumper stickers on the backs of gas-guzzling SUVs and mini-vans. Do people really not see their hypocrisy?

Answer 1

Yes, it does annoy me. I do not think you are self-righteous. It is very irksome that some of us have to work twice as hard to be environmentally responsible and to go without, to provide somebody else's kids with a less depressing future and hope that the world doesn't perish. However, a stupidly big family recycling and preaching about it is better than one that doesn't.



You can't be another person's conscience for them. All you can do is be faithful to your own ideals and lead by example. If it seems thankless and a waste- well, that's altruism for you. It's true that the people who might have to look after us when we're old (dying a natural death's forbidden these days) will be motivated by that sentiment, so we should be polite.



To all the breeders who want people like me to die off so that you, your kids, and your sense of entitlement can have more room: that's exactly what I intend to do. My gift to you will be the space I leave behind. Hopefully there will be a tree or a couple of birds left in it. Enjoy.

Answer 2

No it does not annoy me and it is not hypocritical. The problem is not how many people are living but how those people are living. Over-consumption is the main problem. I chose, as is my right, to have one of the large families (5 children) you are talking about but I do not preach about 'living green'. I tell people IF THEY ASK that my now adult children all work full time as do my husband and myself. We grow most of our own food, recycle/reuse everything we can, walk or bike wherever we can and strictly limit our energy consumption. We are all involved in charity work and do volunteer work in third world countries (OK - granted, we do fly there in eco destructive airplanes) but I have brought them up to respect and look after our planet and the human race. I am very proud to be the mother of a large and environmentally aware family and think you should respect other peoples rights to choose how they live and encourage every little effort they make towards saving our beautiful planet. If everyone on this earth were encouraged to make even a small contribution, the results would be amazing. Resenting other people because they have not chosen the same path as you will get you and the planet nowhere!

Answer 3

No it doesnt bother me as long as people have the respect to do something. I have a family of 5 and we recycle everything that we can, we switch off lights and equipment when they aren't being used. to be honest we recycle more than a household of 2 so therefore in my reckoning we are doing more good. It is my lifestyle choice to have 3 children and no-one has the right to question my choices. We teach our children to respect others and the environment in which we live so that they grow up and in turn pass this onto the next generation. If you choose not to have children for fear of overpopulating the planet then again that is your choice and I won't preach to you that I think you are wrong. This is because you are an individual with the right to make your own life choices and I respect that.

Answer 4

I don't think overpopulation or big families are the problem. For instance, look at the Amish. They have large families and are more "environmentally friendly" than most of us.



I think materialism is the problem. We are constantly bombarded with messages to buy the bigger and better car, tv etc. The Amish may be onto something with their simple lifestyles.



I'm not saying that we should all move out to some Pennsylvania farmland and grow all our own food. To me environmentalism is about not being wasteful. Using thrift stores and mending clothing, growing our own food, cooking from scratch, eating less and walking/biking more are all ways to accomplish this. Of course, these tasks are all very time consuming. A big family could help share the burden of a simple lifestyle by chores :-)

Answer 5

For those who believe that too many children destroy the planet. Do you live in an eco-friendly home (strawbale houses) solar energy and spring fed water?

To be honest there is so many things that are said and do destroy the earth, and we all contribute in one way or another. No one is free of this, we just do our best to slow the process.

This recession or depression (whichever way you see it) has caused us all to take a step back and really evaluate our lives and our spending....many turn green out of necessity. I would love to buy an eco-friendly home as I have described above, but it cost so much more and not all can afford to live that way. I never quite understood that part...if people really wanted to have more individuals using recycled products they should make it cheaper not more expensive.

Answer 6

I see your point. And India is certainly a huge a growing population problem, as big as China but with no efforts to slow growth.



US population growth has been slowing for decades til now, especially now we need more people.



Demographically, there's a gap. Boomers are retiring and there a some smaller burbles behind them. But without increase to the population, Growth, there won't be enough taxpayers to continue paying for entitlements.



Current Social Security Payees have collected far more than they paid in.



And unless we get more new people paying in soon we'll have to makeup more money.



Given the current flood of fiat currency, it seems that cards been played.



So the US needs more people, tax payers. v. entitlement collectors.

Answer 7

Not really, for me being green is about changing our habits. A family of 5 in most countries use less energy than a single average American. True if population continues to increase our problems will get worse, but of a greater concern is per person consumption. We each need to learn how to consume less per person. China has implemented zero population growth yet there consumption of everything is dramatically increasing, that is because millions of their citizens are adopting western lifestyles. They are using more energy, eating more processed foods, eating more foods grown out of their country, adopting disposable lifestyles, dining in more restaurants etc.



So, since we can't regulate population in the US, we should encourage conservation and reducing toxins in our lives. We don't need to change everything the moment we become aware of our impacts, but we have to start somewhere. I made several choices that were less than earth friendly before I began to green my life, but I will live with my choices and do what I can to make better ones in the future. And, if you are wondering, I only have 2 children.

Answer 8

You make some seriously bad presumptions.



First, that people only Take, and add no value. Only people can build hospitals, schools, libraries - and technology that SAVES the planet etc.



If you are so sure that there are Too Many People, may I suggest you exit the planet as an example to all of us 'Breeders"? If you don't, my #6 son may have to implant your new heart valve or pacemaker when you get older. Perhaps my daughter will have to nurse you or your parents soon?

Answer 9

I have four children. We try what we can to recycle. I use freecycle for my unwanted things. I alos drop stuff off at the thrift store where someon else might need to use it. Every little bit helps. You dont have to be a fanatic to do your part.



Thank u

Answer 10

Yes. It does. A lot. And all of the people saying that it is not bad are COMPLETELY wrong. Sure, the Amish have giant families, but they DO pollute. By overpopulation, and cutting down trees, and burning them, witch actually contributes a bunch to the Carbon Dioxide levels.

Answer 11

How is it hypocrisy if they're doing it. But to answer your question: no it doesn't bother me



Edit: If they are in a Hummer then it would bother me....

Answer 12

Yes.

Answer 13

Do you think I should take the stick off my 4X4 then?

Answer 14

no it doesn't bug me



and you should stop being so self righteous