Comments on: Idealism Meets Cynicism at Go Green Expo Los Angeles

By: angelcityart

angelcityart — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:31:53 +0000

The water bottles get me too. Did they mention it’s also all-natural, diet and low-carb? Was there at least a recycling bin there?

The only way to reduce the flow of snake oil is for people like you to keep calling them on their BS. Keep up the good work.

By: Matt Mason

Matt Mason — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:34:14 +0000

@Frazgo, I agree. I feel that electricity is almost a hidden form of fuel burning, since many people just plug in and don’t think about what it took to produce that electricity. Maybe if there were a little coal-burning smokestack next to our computers that we leave on all day while we’re saving paper. And more electric cars means less gasoline but more coal burning? Is that such a great tradeoff? It seems to me we have got to use more renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, to produce electricity.

However, I’m not in the camp, as some seem to be, that says EVERYTHING labeled “green” is automatically phony. That lumps in the bad with the good. Some people, products, and companies, if not necessarily carbon neutral, are “greener” or more eco-friendly than others. Some make a really big effort and achieve some positive results. It’s important to try to identify which ones and then vote with your consumer dollars.

By: marshall

marshall — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:24:36 +0000

“Green” is nothing more than another silly marketing buzzword, and the folks promoting “green” products are the same empty headed marketeers who spent the entire postwar era getting us into this eco-mess. I trust a product marketed as “green” at the same level as a cigarette marketed as “low tar”.

By: Chal Pivik

Chal Pivik — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:18:37 +0000

“Green” is (or has been co-opted into being) a marketing term used to flatter people into believing they are actually doing something helpful when it comes to acting environmentally responsible. It creates a perception, rather than doing anything concrete. That’s enough for most people. Sad.

By: Matt Mason

Matt Mason — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:09:49 +0000

Thanks Jodi. Hey Victoria, that’s what someone asked at the panel, and Josh recommended Treehugger.com as one place to get some better information.

By: victorialane

victorialane — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:38:29 +0000

The Green Movement has become trendy and it’s hard for people like me who want to learn about real choices vs stuff that’s just quickly thrown together to appear as if it’s inventively considering a sustainable future.

By: Jodi101

Jodi101 — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:05:19 +0000

I think it’s smart to be skeptical and ask a lot of questions. Many things are spun to be “green” and people just buy into it and pat themselves on the back. Kudos to you for digging a little deeper.

By: Equality Summit or: GayCon 2009 | Los Angeles Metblogs

Equality Summit or: GayCon 2009 | Los Angeles Metblogs — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:05:15 +0000

[...] took part of my turn this past Saturday. While Matt was on the other side of the Convention Center, I attended the statewide Equality Summit, organized by Equality California. Essentially the [...]

By: iamnotdrtran

iamnotdrtran — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:45:32 +0000

GREENMAN!

By: frazgo

frazgo — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:59:23 +0000

Good catch on the Tesla. Electric cars are zero pollution only at the source of operation. GM’s much loved by the greenfolks all electric the EV1 was a pretty remarkable car for the time and yes it was zero pollution at the source of operation.

Some engineer type took a look at its use here in LA and the fact that 85% of our electricity comes from coal burnt in the AZ desert. That electricity when used to charge the EV1 translated into roughly 20mpg. The carbon footprint isn’t so hot, about what you get from a regular mid-size car like a Camry, Accord or Taurus v6.

The folks at Tesla did what some thought impossible, an all electric sports car. They even have a sedan rumored coming our way. The problem is few of us can afford a $100,000 car, and until it is either all solar, hydro, nuke or wind powered it is going to have a carbon footprint, and one with nasty sulphur and ash problems you won’t get with a modern gas or diesel.

I’m a much bigger of the fuel cell for a lot of reasons but at least the electric cars are finally flexing their technology and show them as viable cars not cute curiosities driven by blue hairs in a Del Webb community.