#johnhoarsaccount

[johnhoarsraccount]

In South Park's episode "Smug Alert", they joke about how people who drive hybrid cars. In the clip, it shows one of characters going around and showing off how great his hybrid car is and how he helping the planet soooo much. Obviously they are greatly exaggerating how people who are environmentally friendly act and are doing it for comedic purposes. They are not looking to discourage people from going green and I think it does not have either a negative or positive effect on how people view sustainability. If anything, I think the satire South Park offers actually allows people to look at how they might act from another point of view and possibly change their actions. 

[johnhoarsraccount]

If this polar bear could talk to us, I'm pretty sure he would tell you his environment is not being sustained. It is easy to ignore climate change when it is not in our back yards. It becomes even easier as winter approaches and we are still freezing our asses off and shoveling snow. Whenever you could care less whether you leave your light on or the water running, remember that little things add up and they by the time you start to see their negative impacts it could be too late. So rather than waiting until you hear about coastal borders flooding over, act now and make steps to a more sustainable and green future.

[johnhoarsraccount]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/23/jon-stewart-congress-climate-change_n_5866400.html

The United States House of Representative Committee of Science, Space, and Technology recently held a meeting for President Obama's plan to shrink carbon emissions in the US by 30% by 2030. You may think that some of the factors that came into play during this debate would be its financial impact and other aspects like that. However, many committee members took this time, as shown in the video, to call upon false evidence and the most ridiculous ideas to insist that climate change is not even related to carbon emissions. It is extremely unfortunate that even though 97% of scientists agree that climate change is happening and is caused by carbon emissions, the population that really has the power to change it does not due to their own personal benefits.

[johnhoarsraccount]

Just because something is monetarily free does not mean it is free from harming the environment. Only take what you truly need!

[johnhoarsraccount]

1. Are you aware of your own personal energy usage and do you consider ways to make yourself live a more environmentally friendly life?

No I do not really think about it on a daily basis. I do not think I do anything that I consider really bad and requires change. I don't throw away water bottles or stuff along those lines.

2. Are you aware of climate change and do you think it is a pressing issue?

Yes and I think something needs to be changed.

3. Do you think there is an important and urgent need to change the way we live energy and for us to become a more sustainable planet?

In some places yes. In cities and really populated places there is definitely a need to change how they live their lives and use energy. However, in rural environments there is not as much of a need.

[johnhoarsraccount]

There is a balance that must be achieved between the amount of CO2 we release and the environment. This picture illustrates a light bulb that essentially running off of "green energy". It means that we do not need to stop using electricity altogether, but rather find a way for a clean environment and our way of living to work together. 

[johnhoarsraccount]

Hey! Based on your blog, you're definitely a supporter of green energy and sustainability and you seem to know a lot about it. You post a lot about ways to be green and to save energy and I was wondering, what types of things do you do or have you changed in your everyday life to make it more green?

Since I am just a teenager and do not have the ability to make many of my own financial decisions, it limits the large things I can do to make my life green. However, little things add up and can make a big difference in the long run. Things that I do on a day-to-day basis include using a reusable water bottle instead of grabbing bottles at grab-n-go in the morning, turning off the water while I brush my teeth to save water, and taking shorter showers. It is the little things! 

[johnhoarsraccount]

Lenses

In Unit 2, I discussed the way my lens of growing up in a well-to-do town changed the way I read and interpreted Richard Stengel's short story, "A Time to Serve". In doing green energy and sustainability, my lens also played a role. My lens limits my ability to consider ways that people who do not have the ability to put solar panels on their roof could live a net zero lifestyle. Walking around my town, the possibility and access that people have to doing things that better the environment, like buying electric cars and installing solar panels is much greater than many of those in other towns. This lens inhibits me from considering ways that others who cannot afford or do not have access to certain items can be environmentally friendly.