tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post5432259088914992781..comments2023-10-19T04:00:09.457-07:00Comments on Making Room for More: The Gospel and the Environment, Part IRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06984230063212786405noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post-32980979154075740242008-01-28T18:46:00.000-08:002008-01-28T18:46:00.000-08:00Great post! I think you hit on some of the fundam...Great post! I think you hit on some of the fundamental problems with the whole "green" movement. It is a fad, a status symbol, and something that will fade in time if there is no deeper reason for being stewards of the earth than "protecting it for our children."<BR/><BR/>I pray that the Christian community starts to take it seriously, not just jumping on the bandwagon to be relevant but really looking at how the gospel can give true depth and staying power to this movement toward protecting creation. You've given me some great stuff to think about. Looking forward to more.TwoSquareMealshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01000292109449832461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post-45464615934258860242008-01-28T13:47:00.000-08:002008-01-28T13:47:00.000-08:00Doug-- Love this post. I agree that "going green"...Doug-- Love this post. I agree that "going green" has become a sort of status symbol. Now, there are worse things that people could be all trendy about, but without a more meaningful underpinning, environmentalism will go the way of other fads. <BR/><BR/>Like Amy who commented above, I have become convicted in small ways-- amazed by the amount of unnecessary packaging comes home with me from the grocery store, humbled by how many resources I consume merely in pursuit of comfort. <BR/><BR/>We did not make the Earth, and we cannot replace, really, what we destroy. We are trying to take baby steps in humility about this.Missy Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389022763657354340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post-27922013633917408532008-01-28T11:28:00.000-08:002008-01-28T11:28:00.000-08:00Here is one way I might think about it to the peop...Here is one way I might think about it to the people skeptical that either that we are in a period of global warming, or that humans are in large part causing it.<BR/><BR/>Think about it as pure pollution. Driving a big SUV, driving when you could walk, etc. etc. etc. OK so maybe people are wrong and you're not actually helping heat up the earth. But in the least you are putting out CO2 gasses, and in the case of Rachel probably a lot of methane too.<BR/><BR/>I'm not one to get into buying carbon offsets and all that. I think that lulls people who have money into a sense that they don't need to change their behavior. But just imagine if we all stopped polluting the air. I could actually care less if the temperature keeps going up or not...good clean air is enough for me.<BR/><BR/>Now I ain't perfect, and neither is me English, but thats my perspective on things.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376446409534942024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post-75644944247613999722008-01-27T19:35:00.000-08:002008-01-27T19:35:00.000-08:00Doug:Great post! Good points to think about. I p...Doug:<BR/><BR/>Great post! Good points to think about. I particularly appreciate how thoughtful you are on this subject. <BR/><BR/>I have been thinking about the environment a bit more recently. First, I've just been more aware of how much garbage I produce - from eating take-out, drinking coffee, or just in general how much trash we put out each week to be picked up and taken away. Second, I read an article about bottled water - how it is not healthy for you and how much garbage is produced from the bottles. The article was in Reader's Digest of all places! Reader's Digest! <BR/><BR/>Not sure where my thoughts or actions will go from here, but I am encouraged to know that you are really thinking this stuff through! I have a lot to learn! I look forward to the second installment!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908640744937426825.post-51551713627376826672008-01-27T14:06:00.000-08:002008-01-27T14:06:00.000-08:00Hi Doug,Welcome to the blogging world. Very excit...Hi Doug,<BR/><BR/>Welcome to the blogging world. Very exciting! <BR/><BR/>I thought your post touched on a couple things that have been on my mind since moving to London. When we arrived in London, I was quite surprised at how much more "green" it was here. In my orientation to the London office, I went to "green" training and was told to use some scary can-crushing contraption that would never be approved for safety or sound design by an MIT engineer. Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical of the green enthusiasm spreading across the UK. It does seem to be more of a fad, than an actual concern among some people.<BR/><BR/>And that brings me to one of your other points which really hits home. What is it with carbon offset? I tend to agree that if you truly feel bad about your behavior, than change it! Paying someone else to solve your problem is not washing your hands of the original problem. I imagine the research will do some good, but until people are willing to change their behavior and support alternative energy, carpool lanes, public transportation, etc. the problem is likely to persist.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate your point about the "fundamental ethic" behind the green movement. I think many people are suddenly feeling "moved" out of fear for their own futures. Taking care of the environment has become taking care of yourself and your future. Do people really care about the earth itself?<BR/><BR/>I must admit that I haven't yet been completely moved by the green movement. I think perhaps I'm waiting to be moved. I want to care. But right now, I'd rather have my Starbucks and not have to carry a travel mug with me all day (or week if I'm travelling). I'd rather not cut myself on the scary can crusher. And I can't exactly stop flying, unless I would like to lose my job.<BR/><BR/>I am looking forward to Part II.<BR/><BR/>AlexAlex Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14095160315301927858noreply@blogger.com