More Green Myths!

Here are the rest of the green myths from A Fresh Squeeze:

Myth 6: Since local foods travel a shorter distance from farm to fork, they use less fuel and emit less CO2.There are lots of reasons to support local agriculture—but the issue of food miles is tricky. Although the distance the food travels is shorter, inefficiencies in the transportation system can actually mean more CO2 is emitted during the trip.

Myth 7: Since manufacturers will pay for recycled materials, recycling programs should pay for themselves.While some recycling critics demand that these programs pay for themselves—it’s more appropriate to compare the cost of recycling to that of trash disposal.This varies from community to community. The EPA estimates the cost of a well run, curb-side recycling program at $50 - $150, while garbage comes in at $70 to $200. So recycling can in fact be cost-competitive with trash.

Myth 8: If something says it’s organic, it is.Although it’s one of the most popular components of green living, organic food is often misunderstood. To learn more about what being organic truly means, read our two part series on Top Ten Organic Myths.

Myth 9: CFL’s are worse than incandescent bulbs because they contain mercury. Fact: Compact fluorescent light bulbs do contain mercury—but the small amount is sealed in glass tubing, and is not released when the bulb is turned on. The amount of mercury in CFL’s would fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen, and it would take 100 CFL’s to equal the amount of mercury in older thermometers. But, CFL's save 70% more energy than regular bulbs, and can save up to 2000 times their weight in greenhouse gases over their lifetime. Cleanup of broken CFL’s do require a certain amount of precaution. You can find a comprehensive guide to cleaning broken CFL’s at the Energy Star website(pdf).

Myth 10: Chicago doesn’t have to worry about water shortages because of our proximity to Lake Michigan. Fact: Many drought plagued states have begun eying the Great Lakes as a solution to their water shortages. There have been many proposed pipelines that would divert millions of gallons of fresh water from the Lakes to fill their reservoirs, rivers, and lakes. The water levels in Lake Michigan are already nearing record lows, and more water is leaving the Great Lakes than is coming in. Chicagoans must stop taking fresh water for granted and start conserving water.