I pull in to the parking lot outside the local store last night. I get the last parking spot. With the smallest car. The lot holds 7 cars.
And I turn off the motor. As I always do. And as I walk into the store past the rest of the vehicles I notice every single one is running in absentia of the owners. Every. Single. One. Trucks and SUVs all.
And if I ever needed proof that there is no hope at all for this planet, the evidence is all there in front of my nose.
And yes, of course, I am the only one also with my own reusable grocery bag.
Yes, I see that here too, where it's not even cold. And why all the huge trucks for city folk? and grocery bags...even paying 5 cents each for plastic doesn't deter some. Depressing.
ReplyDeleteMarja-leena:
ReplyDeleteAnd it wasnt' cold last night and that shouldn't be an excuse, or hot with the a/c blasting (and lawd knows the music too). We are in the middle of the country, so trucks allowed (I guess)but the cluelessness or flagrant disregard of most wears me down.
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with us it's the a.c. running.
ReplyDeleteThat does seem rather extreme and I have never seen such a thing here and it would not be accepted. You would become a social outcast if you did that. If that is a normal practice there, I want you to know it is not in other places so do not despair. It sounds like you live in a very "special" place that does not have the kind of social control that other places have.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need to educate your neighbours! That is shameful, though I often see it here for AC in summer. And God forbid the neighbours should recycle---much easier to pile it all up for the rubbish collection....makes you wonder if some people ever think ahead to what they're leaving for their grand kids??
ReplyDeleteHattie:
ReplyDeleteWe were a province that never needed a/c but with climate change it is now a different matter.
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Irene:
ReplyDeleteA lot of it is ignorance. The Catholic church had complete control of the educational system here so only focussed on their ignorant viewpoint and kept the people almost illiterate. For example higher mathematics were not taught. Or critical thinking.
I've talked about climate change here but met with blank stares for the most part.
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Molly:
ReplyDeleteNo point.
And recycling is another issue. Most out here bring the deposit cans/bottles to the recycling depot for money but do not curbside recycle the non-deposit containers as the "blue bag" cost too much and should be paid for by gummint.
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I have the same thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteIf we left an unattended car with the motor running while in a shop or petrol station, it would not be there when we came back. The 'Bad Boys' would have it away for fun and fireworks - of the worst kind. I know that some years back it was an offence to leave a car unlocked in a driveway OR in a locked garage.
ReplyDeleteOld habits die hard..... I still lock my car.
:ife is the state of being aware. You are. They aren't.
ReplyDeleteSorry. The eyes betray me. The first vword is "life."
ReplyDeleteGM:
ReplyDeleteAhem.
I wasn't writing about the locking or unlocking of automobiles but the deep unawareness of the pollution levels and massively unnecessary carbon footprints contributing to our appalling death spiral. :(
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I so agree Marc. I find it extraordinarily difficult at times being surrounded by this.
ReplyDeleteBut I also have the thought that maybe it's not a bad thing this state of ignorance because there is nothing we can do of any significance to change this spiral.
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OWJ:
ReplyDeleteIncredible, isn't it?
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It's also a health hazard of course for everyone breathing in all those fumes. But people are too self-centred to consider such things.
ReplyDeleteThere'd need to be mandates and stiff penalties before most people would sit up, take notice, and do the right thing. Not going to happen, there's no $$$$$ profit to be made in mandating people to stop doing stuff. I've almost given up caring, WWW. What's the point?
ReplyDeleteNick:
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone living in their own bubble.
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T:
ReplyDeleteAnd it wouldn't be in the interests of the mega-profit non-taxed status of the oil companies to stop the spewing of this filth into the atmosphere.
I'm with you, it's all rather hopeless.
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Heard on the radio this week that there is at least one city thinking of passing a bylaw against leaving your vehicle "idling." It's a great idea. I hope they do it.
ReplyDeleteI think people should get ticketed for leaving their cars running.
ReplyDeleteWow. That would cause me an instant coughing fit, possibly leading to an asthma attack. Thank heavens that it's actually illegal to leave your car with the engine running in England!
ReplyDeleteI use fabric or re-usable shopping bags, too.
SJG:
ReplyDeleteMe too, though out here at the edge there is very little surveillence of misdeeds.
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SAW:
ReplyDeleteA serious ticket and impounding for 3rd offence would be my way of handling it.
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Jay:
ReplyDeleteIt is so selfish and thoughtless. Much like those smokers who hang around doorways. Asthmatics be damned.
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Bravo! Small drops make an ocean. Keep at it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with GM on the puzzlement here - how on earth do these cars not get nicked? The waste of petrol, fumes and the damage to the environment is disgusting, but how do people get away with it at all? Do you just have lazy criminals? ;-)
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