The Oregonian brings word of outdoor companies going "carbon neutral" in the near future. They include roof-rack manufacturer Yakima (aiming to be zero-emissions before this fall), outdoor-gear behemoth REI (planning to neutralize its emissions by, um, 2020), Nike (which already powers more than half of its electricity use through wind energy), and shoe company KEEN. Well-played, outdoorsy folk -- and well-played Oregonian, for not buying fully into carbon offsets' promise of "neutrality," and quoting gallant Gristmill contributor Clark Williams-Derry.
On a different note, updates on Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympics are in the news nearly every day. The city has offered assurances that tap water in the Olympic Village will be safe to drink, even though most of Beijing's 15 million residents rely on bottled water.
And then there's this:
Beijing will explore more ways to recycle in bid to build an environmentally friendly city in the run-up to the Olympics Games next year, said officials at a press conference by the Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games (BOCOG) on Wednesday.
... which I mention mostly because BOCOG is fun to say and reminds me of Böögg. Co-Sarah and I have had a jolly good time these past few weeks saying "Booooooog!" And yes, we know it's not actually not pronounced that way.
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Comments
View as Flat
David Roberts Posted 3:49 am
12 May 2007
grist.org
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Biodiversivist Posted 4:44 am
12 May 2007
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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Delay And Deny Posted 4:49 am
12 May 2007
For those of you who really believe in AGW, isn't the best strategy to just still at home and do nothing?
I mean you guys are always spending tons of energy having "Carbon Rallies" and "Concerts to Save the Earth". Or else you try and Greenwash the Olympics so you can spend your Google stock options and somehow have a "clean conscious" when, in fact, you generate far more CO2 than me, or any of the other residents of Kent East Hill who are simply living on a smaller salary, and in a smaller apartment, than all the rich Greeners.
John Bailo, The "Denier Guy"
You Read It Here First
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bluestems Posted 7:47 am
12 May 2007
boog! boogie! boogay!
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wiscidea Posted 3:46 am
14 May 2007
"... word of outdoor companies going "carbon neutral" in the near future. They include roof-rack manufacturer Yakima (aiming to be zero-emissions before this fall), outdoor-gear behemoth REI (planning to neutralize its emissions by, um, 2020)... "
Why would a true environmentalist have a roof-rack, let alone an automobile? First, you shouldn't even own outdoor equipment that has to go on a roof-rack. Rather than everyone owning their own manufactured skis, kayaks, et cetera, why not just rent them at the park you are visiting. I assume you are not going to any remote wilderness areas; that would be a taboo.
Second, what are you doing with a car? You shouldn't have to drive far to do a little hiking or boating; just bike to a nearby park. If you need a roof-rack to carry your outdoor equipment to where you plan on enjoying the outdoors... you have far too much stuff and are traveling far too many miles to use it.
What ever happened to the simple pleasure of hiking? Perhaps you need the roof-rack for your tent and other gear. But then think about it... what if everyone was hiking far enough into the wilderness to need a tent? All those people trampling nature and scaring endangered wildlife. Its a new world... no one should be allowed the natural areas.
Nature is under attack. We must ban SUVs. We must ban consumption of meat. And we must ban roof-racks. There is no place for them in today's world.
I don't think an outdoors company can ever be carbon neutral as long as it promotes products that lead others to pollute. Such companies are -- like so many other industries -- are externalizing the cost society must pay for the existence of their products. You can't manufacture a "green" product and get all self-righteous about it if the very use of the product leads to emission of GHGs.
Am I serious? I don't know.
Forward!
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