Are You a Green Hypocrite?

We all know the environmental activist who seems to tout their self-righteousness more than they actually live their own philosophies. It can be frustrating to be criticized by them for not living “responsibly,” when their actions aren’t exactly the epitome of perfection either. The term “green hypocrite” is used to describe such people because they’re falsely preaching something they aren’t following themselves. We have compiled this checklist of the telltale signs of a green hypocrite. Take a look and you’ll probably see that Kermit the Frog had wisdom beyond his years: It’s not easy being green.

Do you know someone who…

• Recycles but uses disposable products on a daily basis?
  Recycling is good, but it is intended to be a last-ditch effort. The focus should be on the earlier counterparts in the phrase “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” Cutting back purchases and transitioning to items that can be used over and over again is the way to get to the root of the problem. The overall goal is to have less that needs to be recycled.
• Drives a hybrid car but never carpools?
  Driving a fuel-efficient car is a great means of helping the environment; however there are other issues that should be considered as well. If you’re only traveling a few blocks or so, why not use a bike or your own two feet, reducing your carbon footprint even more? Additionally, it’s important to take advantage of carpooling and public transportation. It’s unnecessary for four people heading to the same destination to drive separate vehicles.
• Proudly uses green grocery bags, but purchases packaged food and water to go inside them?
  Many people miss the mark on this one. Is it better to use your eco-friendly bag and fill it with pre-packaged items, or use plastic bags filled with local, organic fruits and vegetables? The latter is the correct answer. The contents of the bag are the most important part. Pre-packaged items have not only used excess resources, but have been shipped hundreds and hundreds of miles. Skip the reusable bags if you must, and focus instead on supporting local agriculture.
• Only eats organic, but refuses to sacrifice any meat?
  Organic foods generally come with a high price tag, making it hard for many to transition to. But it is important to take into account the bigger picture of your food consumption. You can make a significant impact on the earth solely but cutting back on meat and dairy each week. Reducing your usual consumption can positively affect the climate, water pollution, deforestation, and many other issues. Raising livestock takes a serious toll on each of these things, and the less demand our society has – the better off our world will be.
• Built an obnoxiously large green house?
  It’s true that the lifespan and durability of building materials contribute to better, efficient use of energy and water. But no matter how well it’s built, it’s going to be cancelled out if the house is excessive for your family. The bottom line is little homes make a smaller footprint (both figuratively and literally) when all is said and done. Before drawing up those plans for a new green mansion, one should evaluate where they can cut unnecessary footage and energy use.

As you can see, living a sustainable eco-friendly life is not as simple as it may seem. There’s a wide variety of things that must be taken into consideration; therefore people need to be less judgmental when it comes to one another’s lifestyles. Just focus on simplifying your life and cutting back on needs, and let the haters hate. You’ll know you’re doing your part, and that’s what’s important.

This post was written by Derek Dasher, a regular contributor for TopAlarmSystem.com. He enjoys writing about green topics, home security, and home improvement.