Originally Posted by james t kirk

Absolutely correct.

I have many a debate with some of my more left wing friends who love to blame industry for everything.

One friend in particular I am thinking about thinks that taxing industry is the way to go. When I point out to her that industry is responding to demands from people and that ultimately, it is the consumer which must make changes in their lifestyles, she agrees. One time, I told her that I have a far smaller "carbon footprint than her" (and I do) she disagreed (probably because I think the entire GW thing is a pile of steaming crap (see above). When I pointed out that my house is fully insulated (hers is not), my house has a high efficiency furnace (hers does not), I have low flow toilet, new windows, and my car is brand new and put out far less pollution than her ancient Jetta - she tells me that I have renovated my house because I'm cheap, not worried about the environment.

The best was when I told her that if she was serious about reducing her carbon foot print she should reduce or eliminate her travelling abroad for pleasure. (She's a teacher and travels to far off destinations easily 6 or more times per year.) She lives to travel. She was completely offended that I should make such a suggestion, but the fact is that she uses far more fuel in pleasure vacationing abroad than I even come close to.