"Environmentalist" as an insult

Hi everyone,

I was curious if anyone has been called "environmentalist" (or has heard it used) as an insult or negative attribute.

It really astounds me when people use it like this. This is how I see it. We all have one pair of eyes, so we generally do what we can to take care of them. We have one set of teeth, so we brush them and do what's necessary to keep them healthy. We have one Earth, so why would we not be doing everything possible to take care of it?

It just seems so logical it's frustrating when people don't see it.

 

Almost as insulting as 'liberal'...which I consider to be the only sensible way to be.

 

Or how about "progressive"? Who would want to promote anything other than progress?

 

Negativity towards those who care for the earth stems from the deep denial that ignorant people harbor about the severity of damage global warming (pollution) and general over population have on their home, methinks...

Or maybe they just like beein jerks. On the flip side I dont let stuff like that get to me I just let it strengthen my resolve

 

Who cares what they call you? Are you gonna be you, anyway? Of course! So forget them and their opinions of you.

 

I agree with loagan5, it doesnt matter,you came into this world and you're gonna leave this world alone,fuck them.

 

I think that if you don't understand people who promote views entirely opposite of yours you can't expect them to understand the people who are all about taking the progressive road.

 

Well with Glenn Beck throwing around those nasty words like "empathy" and "progressive" it really wouldn't shock me if someone tried to insult me with something like "environmentalist"

Just lol and keep on doin' what you do.

 

In any cause you join or empathize with you might find yourself lumped in with the fanatics. If you're concerned about the environment and try to minimize your carbon footprint people might equate you with the Greenpeace or Earth First! members and soon they'll be calling you a tree hugger. Don't let it get to you, it's the price you pay for giving a damn.

 

Glenn Beck... sigh... Makes me sad that he still has a following.

While I agree that fanatics/extremists are generally bad, is it possible to be too extreme in your attempts to save our one planet? I suppose environmental extremism may include things like bombing coal plants or something.

 

Yes, among loggers it tends to be quite the insult.

 

I dont care what people call me, an tree hugger, an loony bin liberal. I dont care, because I am sure of what I care about, and I am not going to stop being passionate about these things just bc of some dumb label.

 

Exactly! The only bad part about being gung-ho for the environment is that if there is ever a day when everyone admits that we were on the right track, it's probably too late for our planet.

 

+10! I'll still do what I do (picking up litter) and if they don't like it maybe they'll start picking up after themselves?

 

All labels come with negative stereotypes. I don't understand why some people willfully label themselves.

 

Because people feel good about themselves by attaching themselves to a group and living vicariously through them without having to do as much

 

Not necessarily. I recycle, I don't litter, I drive a compact car and try not to be wasteful, but I don't consider myself to be an environmentalist; I reserve that label for people who are more dedicated and active than I am.

 

I was more referring to the lazy people that want recognition than you specifically

 

Exactly!

 

Environmentalist, Liberal, Progressive, ect. They are all positive names by those who believe themselves to be under those banners, which is all nice and good. The reason people use them in a negative way is because they are counteractive to their views. Liberals believe their views are better then conservatives, but you dont hear conservatives saying how well their evil plans are working out.

Everyone wants to be viewed in the positive. Which is exactly why the debate is Pro-Choice/Pro-Life.

Instead of Pro-Choice/No-Choice Or Pro-Life/Pro-Death