Two Sides of Environmental Advocacy

Myths and fallacies, opinions and advocacies!
There are two sides to every proposed ‘green’ initiative.
What’s your take?

1. Plastic Bags vs Paper Bags

Plastic bags has long been touted as the culprit that must be banned from our shopping cart, hence the 5p charge. But do you know that plastic bags actually produce less CO₂ than their ‘noble’ paper rivals. No doubt plastics take longer to break down and are difficult and expensive to recycle. But paper is also not easy to recycle and if it ends up in the landfill and rot it produces methane gas which is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO_2. Plastic bags actually account for one thousandth of the foot print of the average weekly shop.  There are other more deadly things lurking on the supermarket shelves than the often berated plastic bags.

2. Electric cars –our green road saviours!
   

The answer to the high carbon footprint causing gasoline fueled cars. But are they? Especially when the electricity on which they run is powered by coal plants!   No doubt the pollution emission during the car operation may be less than gasoline fueled cars, but what is the source of electricity that is powering these cars.
Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/052668_electric_cars_coal_power_air_pollution.html

3. You could be harming the environment being a vegetarian!

Some vegetables produce more green gas emissions than meat. For example eggplant, celery and cucumbers are real culprits when compared to pork or chicken and lettuce produces three times more gas emissions than bacon.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/vegetarian-diet-bad-for-environment-meat-study-lettuce-three-times-worse-emissions-bacon-a6773671.html

4. Is nuclear energy production on its way down?

Radiation exposure has killed more American lives than the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and according to safety specialist there is a 50% chance of another Chernobyl occurring by 2050. With increasing renewable energy sources, it might seem that nuclear power plant will gradually shutdown. But are we ready to bite the radioactive bullet?
Source:http://fukushimawatch.com/2015-11-20-u-s-nuclear-capacity-expected-to-increase-by-2020-despite-closures.html

5. Pollution is  a global issue – it a cause as well as a solution!

The Chinese in their smog ridden city get relief from bottled fresh air imported all the way from Canada, and in return export their air pollution to California!
Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/peoplesdaily/article-3359154/Bottles-fresh-air-Canada-hot-sale-China-smog-remains-high.html

6.  Can coal ever be clean?

Coal provides 40% of our energy requirements. Environmentalists highlight that it produces almost 40% of the global CO2 emissions and kills thousands in the mines and by polluting the air.  Advocates of the ‘clean coal’ say it can be done by using the coal to make hydrogen from water and getting rid of the resulting carbon dioxide by-products in a safe way.

Sources:http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/04/coal/nijhuis-text
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Energy-and-Environment/-Clean-Coal--Technologies/