2 + 2 = 5

2 + 2 = 5. Not really, but read on and perhaps you too will question. A group of inconvenient truths recently published in WIRED Magazine really got me thinking and I thought I’d share… From Organics to the Hybrids that we think are better for the planet. These inconvenient truths go our against our traditional thinking of what it means to be green. That being said I will continue to eat organics, boycott China and hug trees.

The path to virtue, we all know, begins with organics. Meat, milk, fruit, veggies & organic products are good for our bodies and good for the planet. Except when they’re not good for the planet. Because while there may be sound health reasons to avoid eating pesticide-laden food, and perhaps personal arguments for favoring the organic-farmers’ collective, the truth is that when it comes to greenhouse gases, organics can be part of the problem.

From the article Organics Are Not The Answer

In 2006, an Oregon market research firm released an incendiary 500-page report. Its claim: A Humvee (13 miles per gallon city, 16 highway) uses less energy than a Prius (48 city, 45 highway). Scientists quickly debunked the study, but the Hummer lovers got one thing right. Pound for pound, making a Prius contributes more carbon to the atmosphere than making a Hummer, largely due to the environmental cost of the 30 pounds of nickel in the hybrid’s battery. Of course, the hybrid quickly erases that carbon deficit on the road, thanks to its vastly superior fuel economy.

From the article Used Cars, Not Hybrids