So today, after another very interesting Industrial Ecology class (will most likely talk about a lot this semester), I walked over to the Reitz Union Bookstore on campus to pick up a gift for my dad and of course made a detour to the science books. Looking for a book to read from a list of possibles, for my class, I noticed a book called Green Hell: How Environmentalists Plan to Control Your Life and What You Can Do to Stop Them by Steve Milloy.
I strongly believe that in order have chosen any side of an argument or discussion, one must know fully both sides of the debate. Therefore, I picked up this book and started reading the introduction. I can tell you, I was mentally and emotionally exhausted by the time I finally left the bookstore... (with this book in hand, I might add). I have decided that I want to hear every argument that I can get my hands on against going green and green design. I do not feel very educated on the topic, because in my classes and the books that I usually read, I am mostly getting the up-sides of a new, greener lifestyle.
So here I am, reading about how "The Greens aim to regulate your behavior, downsize your lifestyle, and invade the most intimate aspects of your personal life." and "What the Greens really seek...is to dictate the very parameters of your daily life - where you can live, what transportation you can use, what you can eat, and even how many children you can have." Is that what people think? That this huge movement is just about some people trying to regulate the world?
There are definitely extremes. Many people are working to cut out parts of their lives, limit waste and use smarter transportation. But what many "Greens" suggest isn't to stop buying books altogether, but look for books made on recycled materials with soy-based inks. We don't have to go without electricity, but try to find renewable energy sources (many energy companies are going this way) and find appliances that drain less energy. I don't think that people are really expecting people to live less filled lifestyles necessarily, just a few differences that you may only notice when your energy bill comes up smaller and your recycling bin fills faster than your trash can.
In any case, so far, I have the impression that Milloy really enjoys bashing Liberal viewpoints and President Obama, and is afraid that he will lose his high standard of living if the sustainability revolution continues (which it will.) I have read very little of the book, and will most likely add thoughts and findings here, especially if I find that he has arguments with substantive backing.
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