I received an email today and unfortunately there wasn’t a reply email address thus I could not reply directly. I’ve seen this argument many times and thought elaborating on it in the blog of the site would clarify my position.

Here’s the email.

Did you ever consider that the mass scale at which the environment is being trashed is aided and abetted by the cameras you so arrogantly sling. Don’t be a tool. You’re part of the problem unless you live off the grid without any modernity.

Firstly, I am aware, and acknowledge the fact that every single human on earth is affecting the planet in some negative way.  This is not the argument.  Every animal affects the planet in some negative way too.  Beavers alter rivers, Melaleuca trees destroy wetlands, virii eradicate populations.

My problem with much of the human race is that we knowingly destroy the planet all the while knowing there are numerous ways to minimize our impact.  Unfortunately, a lot of the populace is at the mercy of politics, economics, and corporations.  Processes such as burning of fossil fuels greatly destroy the Earth.  Unfortunately until wind,solar, hydro, etc… become more economical these more environmentally friendly ways of obtaining energy will never be fully utilized.

I currently pay a little extra in my electric bill each month to receive a portion of my home electricity via wind.  I use my A/C as little as possible and almost never run my heater.  If it gets too cold in my house I wear more clothes or pile blankets on my bed.  My car gets over 30mpg..  I never buy bottled water.  I drink water from my tap.  I take public transit as much as possible.  The list goes on and on.

I try to do my part to minimize my impact on Earth.  That’s all I ask.  Obviously using electricity, computers, televisions, cars, etc… is affecting the Earth in some way.

Buying an SUV/truck when you don’t need it is a waste.  Throwing computers in a dumpster is hazardous to everyone.  Dumping prescription pills down a sink is hazardous. etc…

Urban sprawl harms the planet.  It kills trees and replaces them with concrete.  We should be building up, not out.

My point is that we can be doing so much more to reduce the harm we place on the Earth.   I am not advocating throwing away technology, or living in trees.  I am advocating replacing every tree removed for construction development, or buying fuel economic cars, or limiting indoor lighting by using natural lighting.