BEYOND GREEN

Extreme weather has divided public opinion as sharply as almost any other issue in America. For decades, the climatology community has been warning the American public about the pollution-caused threat of climate change. Yet even as weather patterns conform to scientific prediction, cable news channels roll out an endless roster of people who claim that scientific predictions were flukes, that global warming isn’t caused by greenhouse gases, that the climate isn’t really changing at all, or that nature is simply following a natural cycle.

Such a strong interest in countermanding science is unusual among news organizations. For instance, correspondents don’t usually take a stand against geology or chemistry. They don’t seem to care whether you believe in quantum physics. Why, then, does cable news spend so much airtime trying to debunk climatology?

The answer is that climate change is a subtext of the larger debate on public policy. When pundits—along with polluter-funded researchers—dispute the scientific consensus on climate change, they usually recite a talking point. Over and over again, they say “We don’t want to put an undue burden on industry.” The speakers don’t often specify the burden, but their meaning is clear: that the public shouldn’t force companies to stop polluting. Hence, the debate on global warming is really a smokescreen for the debate on pollution.

Fortunately, pollution has a cure. In an interview with EREE, actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. says that a pollution-free life begins at home. Once you’ve discovered the financial and spiritual rewards of green living, your sincerity will sway others to the cause. Eventually, the combination of grassroots pressure, market forces and government intervention will guide the polluting industries to follow suit. Ed offers these inspirations for spreading the wealth of conservation:

Practice What You Preach
After drawing clarity from the very first Earth Day in 1970, Ed bought an electric car for $950. He can now be seen riding a bicycle to Hollywood galas, walking to neighborhood stores, and taking public transportation across town.

Also in the 70s, Ed altered his diet. He explains, “A pound of broccoli uses less land, water and energy than a pound of beef.” Not only does a plant-based diet conserve resources, but Ed also found that vegetarianism made him feel healthier and more energetic.

Today, Ed shares a multitude of ideas for green living on his television series, “Living with Ed.” The show airs Sunday evenings on HGTV .

Save Money—Environmentalism Is Cheap!
Once he began living a green lifestyle, Ed found that he was saving money. He says, “[Conservation] is good for the environment, and good for the bottom line.”

For instance, it’s cheaper to turn lights off than to leave them on. Vegetables are less expensive than meat. Gardening is the most cost-effective way to get good food, and composting is a free alternative to fertilizer. Fluorescent light bulbs cut illumination costs significantly. Weather stripping pays for itself in a single month’s electric bill.

The more money you save by living green, the more you can invest in future savings. For those with the ability to invest, double-paned glass provides insulation for the most heat-transparent part of your home. Solar panels, solar ovens, rain-collection barrels, and windmills can all bring significant savings in the long term.

Electric cars are another way to save money. More than 30 all-electric car models are on the market today, some as cheap as $7,000. Not only do electric motors use less energy than gasoline engines, but electric cars also avoid the maintenance costs associated with oil changes, filters, spark plugs and fan belts.

Unfortunately, service technicians for electric cars are hard to find, and moderately priced models tend to have a limited range. For long-range distances, a gasoline-electric hybrid can provide a compromise between a traditional car and an electric car.

The Greatest Generation Were Conservationists
One of Ed’s earliest heroes was his father, who lived through the Great Depression. Ed says of his father, “Although he wouldn’t use the word, he was an environmentalist.” Like most Depression-era survivors, Ed’s father turned off the lights and the water. He saved nails and reused everything he could. The trashcan was a last resort.

As the global warming issue pits right-wing versus left-wing, it’s refreshing to know that activists like Ed Begley Jr. are bringing people together. Pollution is at the heart of climate change, and each of us can play a part in neutralizing humanity’s effect on the climate. Not only can we conserve resources and minimize waste, but we can also inspire others to follow our lead. As Ed show us, leading by example is far more persuasive than winning a debate.