I got on the conservation boat in eighth grade, when, as part of my middle's schools Environmental Club, I saw the Dr. Seuss movie "The Lorax." I know it sounds cheesy that a children's book (turned movie) was what instigated my total change in mentality, but Dr. Seuss didn't just write for children; his message was universal, and it captured me. If we don't take care of the place where we live, no one else will.
Since then, I have become a self-described environmentalist, conservationist, tree hugger, friend of the earth, etc., etc. I do my part in my own life--I am a conscientious recycler (I even pocket small scraps of paper to bring home to my paper recycling bag later). I have composted my kitchen and yard scraps since I was in high school (with a four-year hiatus when I lived in New York City and didn't have a yard). I drive a fuel-efficient car, that while fourteen years old, still gets 400 highway miles to the tank. I am a vegetarian because (for one reason) I don't believe in feeding produce and grain to animals that could be made available for human consumption. I eat organic as much as I can afford to, because I know the damage that fertilizers, pesticides and hormones can wreak on natural systems. I plant trees. I grow my own organic vegetable garden. We insulate our house and make it as airtight as possible. I don't run water when I wash dishes or brush my teeth. I turn off lights in rooms I'm not in and I use dimmer lights or compact flourescent bulbs when I need lighting. In short, I try really hard to do my part to conserve the resources in our environment.
BUT...
I really enjoy long, hot showers. I like showers so hot they burn my skin. Although I am fine putting on additional layers, I love the feeling of heat flowing from the furnace vents, warming me up during a Michigan winter. And then, there's that Land Rover...
In our last month or so in Texas, we knew that we'd have to move our things back to Michigan during one of Adam's long holiday weekends; there was no way I'd be able to fit all of our stuff in my car during the final move home. Initially, we planned to rent a minivan or SUV; but then, Adam came home from work one day saying that he'd seen a Land Rover Discovery sitting on a dealership lot for under $10,000. "I think it's worth looking into," he said on more than one occasion. I was skeptical, at best. An SUV? Me? There was no way I could hold my head up as a true environmentalist if we indulged in a luxury that we absolutely didn't need like an SUV. But Adam's rationale was good: Why spend nearly $1000 on a four-day rental of a minivan if we could pay less than $10,000 to own a reliable second vehicle? With my Jetta facing various repair bills and a snowy Michigan winter, he thought having a truck like the Land Rover on standby was a prudent consideration. I couldn't completely find fault with him, so I agreed to go to the dealership to check it out.
Once there, we examined the exterior and interior--TWO sunroofs, seating for seven (and then two additional seats in the rear if need be), leather seats...it was definitely luxury with a European flair. Then, Adam suggested I take it for a test drive. "After all," he said, smiling, "I'll likely be in the Middle East for the next year, so this would be your vehicle!" The idea of being responsible for a big Land Rover was daunting to me, but I got behind the wheel anyway.
And then, I drove it. And I loved it. The feeling of the leather seats under my butt, the way the steering wheel handled between my fingers, the smell of luxury emanating from the interior. It was glorious and I started to fall deeper in love with this vehicle the longer I drove it. But, the tree hugger in me couldn't admit to my husband how much I enjoyed the drive. After all, the thing must get terrible gas mileage.
We debated back and forth for days about whether or not we'd get it. We made a list of pros--all the reasons I mentioned above, and cons--bad gas mileage, high mileage vehicle (88,000 miles), having to insure a third vehicle, pricey maintenance and repair bills on a foriegn car. We talked it over with both our families, who all told us not to buy it. We finally decided not to get the truck, but with heavy hearts. Whenever Adam or I passed by the dealer's lot, we couldn't help but look wistfully at the truck that could have been ours. I rationalized that the money we would have put toward that gas-guzzling SUV would be better spent buying a hybrid or electric car, considering how fuel prices were rising (and that was before the recent turmoil in the Middle East erupted). I think we made a sound decision. But I have to admit that despite all the pragmatic reasons that swayed us from buying that vehicle, everytime I see a Land Rover my heart tugs a little. And then I wonder what it says about my commitment to environmental conservation if I can swoon over a vehicle I know is contrary to all of my conservationist principles.
I guess even a tree hugger can love a sweet ride...and a long, hot shower.
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