The green movement is definitely not limited to the United States. If anything, people in Europe are more conscious of their carbon footprint than Americans. So many people ride bikes, and the cars that they drive are more fuel efficient than cars driven in America. One article from MSNBC discusses the differences in European and American vehicles:
"CSI found that the number of vehicle models sold in the United States that achieve combined gas mileage of at least 40 miles per gallon actually has dropped from five in 2005 to just two in 2007 — the Honda Civic hybrid and the Toyota Prius hybrid. Overseas, primarily in Europe, there are 113 vehicles for sale that get a combined 40 mpg, up from 86 in 2005. Combined gas mileage is the average of a vehicle’s city and highway mpg numbers. Adding insult to injury is the fact that nearly two-thirds of the 113 highly fuel-efficient models that are unavailable to American consumers are either made by U.S.-based automobile manufacturers or by foreign manufacturers with substantial U.S. sales operations, such as Nissan and Toyota." (Link for article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17344368/ns/business-autos/)
At home we have the opportunity to buy bags for our groceries to avoid using the plastic ones, which is also an option here, but some stores actually make you pay for each plastic bag that you use. This caught me off guard the first time I went grocery shopping!
Recycling is another point of difference. Outside of our back door we have three different recycling bins:one brown, one green, and one blue, and each is for a different type of material. Living here has made me much more conscious of the impact that my choices have on the environment, and it has given me a different perspective on the importance of "going green". They have made it a priority to instill a consciousness of the environment into the everyday lives of people, which will certainly produce beneficial results in the future.
Interesting finding there and thoughts..paying for your plastic grocery bags...strange. I'm on a Facebook hitus that started today and will go until next Monday...fyi! :)
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