I already knew this about the smoking situation in both the USA and Europe before I traveled to Europe, but to actually experience the difference was interesting.
I absolutely LOVE that in most places in the USA that smoking cigarettes, and obviously marijuana in public places is illegal. People can not smoke by restaurants or stores, or any type of public place. I did not realize how much this makes a difference until I visited Europe where it is not against the law.
I have people in my life that I love very much that smoke. My mom's parents (my grandparents) smoked. I still remember the ash trays on their coffee tables. Unfortunately, they both died from smoking related causes. They were both good people that started smoking when they were young, when everyone seemed to smoke, and they never could shake the addiction. Jonathan's dad smokes like a chimney. I was worried that I would get sick from the smoke because I do not do well with cigarette smoke. It makes me feel sick. I ended up being completely fine. It isn't that I liked the smell, but I did not feel sick. Jonathan's dad only smokes in open spaces outside. I am sure that made a big difference.
What was surprising was how many people smoke in Europe. We would be sitting outside a cafe eating when suddenly we would be breathing in pure nicotine. Ugh! It ruins the taste of food, the smell of food and fresh air, and it changes the entire atmosphere. We were not used to dealing with the stench of smoke.
Europe likes to pat themselves on the back when it comes to the environment. It reminds me of that book about the chicken or hen that keeps warning the other animals on the farm that the sky is falling, but then the sky never falls. I do believe that there is global warming. I do not think it will be the end of mankind. The earth has gone through weather patterns for millions of years. I do think that each of us need to do the best we can to take care of mother earth. I love the beauty of the earth. I am in awe at the beauty. I have watched documentaries on pollution and it is horrendous. I think it saves money and helps the environment to not waste and to recycle. Germany has about 100 different types of recycling garbage cans. Not really, but it felt like it. I think it is more like seven garbage cans for different things like plastic, paper, electronics, food waste, etc.
Being in Europe helped motivate me to want to do better when it comes to recycling and not being wasteful. Doing better is different for each person. I felt like if I lived in Europe I would be spending so much time doing everything for the environment that I would not have time to do anything else. haha. I felt like saying, "Chill!" I love that in the USA it is a personal choice. Of course it is a personal choice in Europe also, but someone will be given the death stare if one didn't throw something in the right trash can or chose to not recycle at all. If one chose to litter, then one would be looked at as though he/she was the sole responsible person for the demise of the world. It seems very extreme. I get upset if I see someone litter, but Europe litters and pollutes the earth more than what they realize.
Jonathan and I had a discussion when he came to the USA this Summer. I explained to him that the USA does care about the environment. Just because some people do not believe in climate change in the USA does not mean that they don't care about the earth or keeping the earth clean. There are those in the USA that do not believe in climate change. I don't think it is that they don't believe in climate change, because obviously the earth's climate changes. What they don't believe is that humans are the sole responsibility of the climate change and they also do not believe that climate change will be the end of mankind. It doesn't mean that those same people do not care about the earth. They do. Most of the people that do not believe that Climate change is going to be the end of human kind are people that love nature. They do not pollute or waste.
On the other hand, I see Europeans that seem almost obsessed with climate change, but in the next moment they are lighting up cigarettes. Throw a paper in the plastic recycling bin - death stare. Light up a cigarette and blow it out into the atmosphere so everyone else has to breath in nicotine - no biggie. It's so twisted. It's no big deal to pollute one's own body and everyone else's body but how dare you drive a car to work everyday so you can feed your family!
Europe has an amazing transportation system. It is great. It is easy to get after Americans for driving cars every day, but life in the USA is completely different than in Europe when it comes to transportation. Everything is much more spread out in the USA. Most cities do not have a big transportation system. I think Jonathan understood when he lived here for a year why so many Americans drive cars. Riding a bike or walking in the Arizona heat is pretty much like asking someone sacrifice his life to save the environment.
(These kinds of demonstrations just make me roll my eyes. Yes, I want a cleaner environment. I do not understand how people can get so riled up. I think the only thing that could get me this riled up would be if the government tried to take away my own human rights, like the religion I choose or not allowing me to have free speech about whatever I feel. Obviously these people are using their human rights to protest about the environment. I don't understand the fear though. Just live the best you can. The end.)
The only other part about Europeans when it comes to the environment is that they truly believe they are saving future generations. They want to leave an earth for their grandchildren and great grandchildren to live. I think that is great. What I don't get is that it seems to be such a priority that the people that are on the earth at this very moment don't seem to matter as much. No starving person in Africa is worrying about if the fruit they are eating is organic. Only wealthy Americans are worried about if everything is organic or not. And, my husband grows crops both organically and with pesticides. It isn't going to make any health difference to someone's body whether the crop is organic or not. And as for the environment, the pesticides used are not what is killing the environment. My point is that I would rather help those that have lives right now live a better life than worry about generations down the road. How can a government expect people to pay for solar panels and electric cars when they are just trying to feed their families? It's so backwards.
Another BIG difference when it comes to climate change is that the USA is religious and Europe is not religious. The entire religion thing is another topic, but when it comes to climate change, religion does make a difference. I truly know there is a God. I feel that I have a purpose on this earth. I feel that this earth was created by a Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that when I die I will still live and be with my friends and family here on the earth at this time and also my ancestors. Death and/or the death of the earth does not scare me. Those that do not have faith seem to worry more about the environment. I do feel that we need to take care of the environment and I do feel that we need to do our part for future generations. But the entire death thing doesn't scare me and the whole idea of the demise of the entire earth does not scare me. That doesn't mean that I don't believe in climate change because I do know there is climate change. Having faith in God and a life after this life makes a person have a broader view though. It takes away the fear, although there is still caring.
In conclusion, I do want to take care of the earth. I do care about the environment. I want to do better to not waste. I also feel that recycling, using solar energy, driving an electric car, and/or using public transportation will not save my life or help me to be healthier as much as not smoking will help me to be healthier and live a better life. So, Europe, stop being hypocrites just because we don't act like climate change is our religion. We do care, but we are not fearful.
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