Bronxites Split on ‘Going Green’ Initiative

Residents of the Bronx generally seem to favor the move towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable means of living and production in the United States.

Picking up steam in recent years, the ‘going green’ initiative seeks to shrink and eventually phase out reliance upon non-renewable resources (e.g. coal, crude oil, etc.), which deplete the environment. Predicated by events such as the British Petroleum oil spill of 2010 and analysis of Earth’s climate, the ultimate goal is sustainability. That is, producing and reusing less than is what is consumed.

Fresh on the heels of newly enacted policies which aim to bolster the campaign, including Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent ban on single-use Styrofoam products, residents were questioned on whether or not they supported the movement.

Isaiah Ogilvie, a Belgian immigrant, provided input colored by his experiences in Europe. “We have different trash bins wherever you go. Recycling is widely known,” he mentioned, adding, “I incorporate it in my daily life.”  Asked if he believes the United States is making progress towards sustainability, he commented, “Politics need to push it forward. Trash is overflowing.”

Following suit, Sky Sofer added, “I love the idea of going green!” before suggesting ideas of her own on how to best utilize the energy and momentum behind the push.

“I am an optimist. I think that if many different communities came together, we could make change.” A resident of over ten years, she seemed surprised to know that in terms of parklands, the Bronx is New York City’s ‘greenest’ borough. “That just gives me more pride to be from the boogie down!”

For all the fervor, however, the timeliness of the concern was criticized. “There has been too much time spent not paying attention to the damage,” opined Claudia-Alvarez-Plaud. “We need to help the earth last longer; we’re going south.”

More caustic in his responses, Dylan Oquendo, a longtime resident of nearly two decades lamented, “I think the going green initiative is cute. Why are we going green after hundreds of years of man-made pollution?” Continuing his assessment he noted, “We live in a consumerist society so having all these inorganic materials in our environment is inevitable.” He digressed stating, “I guess the going green initiative after destroying all the green is a good step.”

Expressing similar sentiments, Austin Soto stated succinctly, “It’s the least we could do.”

Reported by Koi Germany

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