Wasting Away in America The passage written by Bill McKibben, entitled “Waste Not, Want Not” was written to bring to the forefront the huge amount of waste that a small community of only 500 people accumulate in a small amount of time. He educated the reader by showing in detail the amounts of waste that is created on a daily basis. The wasteful effects on the environment are then discussed in greater detail, that many people do not stop to think about. Last, the focus on how waste affects the economy and the personal time that is lost because of the massive amount of waste that we accept in our daily lives. McKibben describes in the passage about the massive amount of waste that is created in the United States. He states that “80 million …show more content…
plastic water bottles are thrown out each day (332).” He wonders what is wrong with drinking the water that is being provided from our water faucets in our homes, schools and places of employment?
He states that “Life is about 30,000 days long and we all waste so much time looking at junk mail (333) of things that we do not want nor, do we really need it. Imagine the amount of time that has been wasted doing frivolous things like opening unrequested, unnecessary mail, and what could have been done during that time? Spending time doing more creative, meaningful things like spending time with friends and family. McKibben further addresses the effects of the amount of waste that happens in America is harming the environment in so many ways. For instance, “Over 100 million trees are cut down each day so that junk mail can be delivered to our mail boxes by way of newspapers, magazines, symphony music and so much more (332-333).” These trees have been scientifically proven to help with the supply of oxygen in the atmosphere, which is needed for life as we know it. It is unreasonable and unhealthy to cut down so many trees and not replace them with new trees, for future generations. McKibben discusses that the amount of time that is being …show more content…
wasted in Congress about the nuclear industry is due in part to helping the issues with global warming, which affects the amount of ice in parts of the world and the amounts of water in our oceans. He confers that old technology is spewing particulates in the air and into the water supply, but big companies have fought against the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Acts (332) because when these companies continue to harm the environment, they are fined by the government which is costing them more money from the big companies. McKibben has gathered the following facts which are very alarming to me. Over 106,000 aluminum cans are thrown away every thirty seconds in the United States (333). Two million plastic beverage containers are used every five seconds. 1.14 million paper bags are used in grocery stores every hour (333). 60,000 plastic bags are used every five seconds (333). 170,000 Energizer batteries are made every fifteen seconds (333). Most amazing of all might be, that the average American uses more electricity between New Years Eve and January 2, than the average Tanzanian uses the entire year (334). This amount of electricity used goes beyond incredible when you look at it from this perspective. As a nation, we need to take a step back and see how we can do our part to help reduce the number of items that we use each day and is it really necessary? McKibben discusses in the passage that from an economical standpoint that our economy is a drain on the resources that we have to offer others.
For instance, some educated Harvard scholars waste their time and talents by providing consulting services to help reduce or save money for big companies (334) - most of the time- this means that peoples jobs will be eliminated, and they will be out of work. This creates more financial hardships on the employees and their families because they need to then seek out additional government resources to help provide for their family. Next, look at the amount of waste that the American government places on its citizens by the amount that has been spent on the War in Iraq. American has spent more money in this war than the next ten largest militaries in the world. Being the richest country on Earth we waste the talents of the people (which are most valuable resources) by limiting the jobs that are offered to African Americans, women and members of the gay community. When the country does this, we are restricting the talents and fruits that can be produced by these citizens. Not to mention the sickening amount of money that Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of large company’s waste within their companies. Can you imagine sitting on a toilet that cost $35,000 such as the one purchased by the CEO of Merrill Lynch (334). Or even the birthday party that cost Tyco CEO over 1 million dollars for his wife, that even had an ice sculptor of the famous
Michelangelo “David” urinating Vodka (334). These are the expenditures that could have been better spent helping those who are less fortunate. Some people think that they need Sport Utility Vehicles the size and style best suited for forest rangers. In conclusion, McKibben’s passage entitled “Waste Not, Want Not” describes the affects that are placed upon the shear amount of waste created on a daily basis, how it affects the environment and how the waste affects the economy. After the days of the Great Depression people were spendthrift and planned how they would spend each dollar that they had. They wanted to be able to provide for their families, but they did not want to overspend and bought with caution. Over the past fifty years, people have become programed by society that the bigger the car, the bigger the house, the more success you have achieved. But why waste more time at work away from family and friends, when you are working to just buy a larger vehicle or a larger house that nobody is even going to spend time in. These are all ways that can help reduce the amount of waste that we find ourselves in, while spending our time with the ones who really matter in our lives.
In Michael Pollan’s “Why Bother?” Pollan argues that each person can contribute to helping to the environment by erasing their carbon footprints. In my everyday life I experience the choice of driving my car to work or riding my bike. More often than not I choose to drive my car because it is the easier option. I, along with many other people, believe that my individual impact will not cause a larger impact on the global scale. In Pollan’s essay, he makes each person think about the effect they are leaving on the environment and how each person, as an individual, can change his ways before it is too late. Wendell Berry, a naturalist and well-respected and influential writer, was a key factor in recognition of the environmental crisis and how to solve the problem.
In conclusion, McKibben’s writing style and use of pathos sway the reader to accept his argument as truth even though his arguments may not be valid. Since McKibben portrays himself as a credible author, the audience believes him especially because he is writing to the general public through a pop culture magazine. The issue of preserving the rain forest versus using the resources that it provides will continue to be in debate in the years to come.
She states that mans assault upon the environment is the contamination of the earths air, rivers, and sea. The basis for Carson’s idea is to exhibit the main cause of pollution, which is backed by McKibben’s point on global warming. McKibben’s states that, carbon dioxide is the enemy and the people responsible for its production are us. In support of his claim, McKibben produces evidence on the effects of global warming around the world to articulate the negative effect that man has caused. Mckibben uses examples of how rising water temperature could effect the coral reef and mentions that polar bears are already 20 percent scrawnier due to melting pack ice which lessens their opportunity to hunt. In support of McKibben’s statement Carson also adds that “man can hardly even recognize the devils of his own creation” further strengthening this point in both articles by expressing that man is the
The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold? written by Brandon King discusses what the American Dream is, how it has evolved, and how to live it to the fullest. He writes that the American Dream in the past meant to live a wealthy, materialistic life, however the American Dream today is to live in stability. The American Dream also has the potential to be viewed from multiple perspectives as everyone is different and have their own opinion as to how live the American Dream. King also addresses that inequality is the main problem according to many; the government is only making the rich minority wealthier, ignoring funds for the lowers classes. The American Dream will never die as long as planning ahead and proposing policies to sustain economic growth are tirelessly acted upon.
Ever found something in the trash and taken it home? While many partake in dumpster diving leisurely, there are a special few who get everything they need from garbage: clothes, electronics, and even food. "Cultivate poverty... like a garden herb. Don't trouble yourself to get new things whether clothes or friends," (Thoreau, Generation 25). This brilliant quote relates very closely to the freeganism movement which fights wastefulness in our consumerist society.
“Put-downs, Pickups and the Power of No” is the twelfth chapter of Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash by Edward Humes. The chapter talks about living a lifestyle that is almost waste free and how you can easily start today within your own home. Most of the waste consumed from your home is from the packaging from goods that you buy, eliminating that can save money and give you less waste.
In conclusion to this investigation one thing is clear and that is that recycling reeks benefits to the environment, Recycling material when compared to making material from raw material is a more efficient energy saving and more environmentally friendly way to reuse material that is usually consider as trash such as empty glass, and plastic bottles, or old newspapers. Recycling helps reduce the possible carbon emissions greatly and does reduce the human carbon footprint. But Recycling doesn’t resolve the pollution that is around the world today. Leading to new questions, questions like what about the landfills are they sustainable, and if so for how long. How long until the air becomes unbreathable? How long until Earth becomes its own furnace?
In conclusion, the impact I personally have on the planet has surprised me. My personal ecological footprint is much larger than I expected. However, there are measures I can take to drop my current consumption rate, such as altering my recycling choices, making better purchasing decisions, and adopting the reduce, reuse, and recycle concept throughout my household. By altering my habits and consumption rate, I can affect my local community tremendously in a positive way for the planet Earth.
Benjamin, Daniel K. "The Benefits of Recycling Are Exaggerated." Pollution. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Recycling Rubbish: Eight Great Myths About Waste Disposal." PERC Reports. 2003. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 July 2014.
...unting Hurt or Help the Environment? Scientific American. EarthTalk, New York. Print November 10, 2009
In chapter one of the book, America Ways, Gary Althen (2011) enlighten people about the concepts of value and assumption in U.S. American culture. the author's clarification of values and assumptions is related to cover a certain criteria customarily to U.S. American culture. However, the author admitted that every culture has a different view in categorizing values and assumption.
As an environmentalist (or a "radical" environmentalist, as I am often labeled by members of the mainstream environmental movement), I feel it is my duty as a protector of the Earth's well-being to write this editorial as a means of bringing into the American consciousness a variety of frightening environmental issues. Though some of you may be aware of these problems, I know many are not, and thus may be shocked to learn about the degradation of our Earth and the people living in it. Indeed, I truly believe that "since the dawn of the industrial age, America has behaved like an alcoholic with a good job—prospering despite a lifestyle that jeopardizes the future and ruins much of what is good with irresponsible behavior.
Therefore, recycling can protect natural resources, preserve energy and lessen pollution. If people want to save planet Earth for generations to come, then recycling is necessary. On Debate.org, the question “Should there be mandatory recycling?” was asked and 84 percent said yes, while only 16 percent said no (“Should There Be Mandatory Recycling”). Recycling is very important to the planet and can make a huge difference in so many ways. Recycling is a way of life and once a person has made the choice to follow through with the steps, recycling can become second nature. Every small contribution adds up to how the society shapes the Earth’s future. How will someone make a difference?
The number of landfills in the United States is decreasing, but the amount and volume of waste being thrown into the new landfills is increasing (Russell 4). Because of this escalating amount of garbage, methane, which contributes to global warming, is an outcome of these landfills (Russell 7). As a result, our planet is suffering because of this epidemic. The garbage being put in the landfills could be recycled, but not enough businesses, schools and cities are promoting the “going green” trend.... ... middle of paper ...
Further, “In 2008, nearly 13 tonnes of waste were generated by Canadian households. Of this, more than 8.5 million tonnes were disposed of in landfills or incine...