Unveiling the Ten Biggest Myths Related to Ecology

These days, large corporations are trying to be environmentally conscious, but problems arise when it comes to determining what is truly environmentally acceptable and what is not, as this leads to complete confusion, reports cnnmoney.com. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the biggest ecological misconceptions.

prepared by: Tomislav Vidaković

1. Water – from the tap or bottle?
Myth: Bottled water is safer than tap water.
Truth: Tap water is subject to strict government regulations.

In America, 107 liters of bottled water are consumed per capita each year, creating a significant amount of plastic waste. Bottled water is much more convenient in everyday busy life, but is it really healthier than tap water? There is no guarantee that bottled water is healthier or cleaner than tap water by any criteria, explained Wendy Gordon from the nonprofit organization Natural Resources Defense Council. The main reason lies in the fact that tap water is subject to much stricter rules, testing, and regulations than bottled water. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires large municipalities and regions to test drinking water several times a day. On the other hand, bottled water is tested at most once a week. Moreover, water that is filled and sold within the same state and does not cross state lines, which is more than 70% of the water sold in the U.S., is not subject to federal regulation and thus remains uncontrolled, explained Peter Gleick from the Pacific Institute.

2. Buying local fruits and vegetables
Myth: Buying locally grown food is better for the environment.
Truth: It depends on how that food is grown and delivered.

While buying food that is grown locally can help local farmers, it does not automatically mean that it is the most natural type of food you can consume. According to recent research, tomatoes that are trucked from Spain to the UK can be healthier, both for the environment and for humans, than those grown in a greenhouse in your locality. This is primarily because greenhouse cultivation requires energy and certain amounts of fertilizers that ultimately pollute the soil.

3. Organic food
Myth: Organic food is produced without the use of pesticides.
Truth: The rules for growing organic food need to be tightened.

To be fair, a significant amount of pesticides is allowed in the production of organic food, and some of them are considered deadly to humans in very small quantities. This primarily includes nicotine sulfate and sulfur lime, which are widely used in a large number of pesticides, some of which are even used in the cultivation of organic food.

4. Greenhouse gases
Myth: Vehicles are one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.
Truth: Vehicles are one of the largest, but not the largest producers of greenhouse gases; the livestock industry is ahead of them.

In a report by the UN agency responsible for food and agriculture, livestock, especially cattle, are listed as the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, producing more pollution than all vehicles combined. Specifically, livestock produces 18% of greenhouse gases in the world each year, while vehicles contribute 13%. Other studies indicate that the livestock industry produces even more than 18% of greenhouse gases globally.

5. Plastic containers for microwaves
Myth: It is okay to use plastic containers in microwaves.
Truth: Use ceramic containers.

Despite the fact that plastic containers have a label indicating they can be used multiple times in the microwave, this does not mean they are safe. That label does not guarantee that the container will not crack or leak into the food. The real danger lies in the substance from which polycarbonate plastic is made, called bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, which can leach into food and disrupt the hormonal system. Therefore, it is advisable to use ceramic containers, even though it takes a few more seconds to heat the food.

6. Energy-saving bulbs
Myth: Energy-saving bulbs are bad because they contain mercury.
Truth: True, but not using them will release even more mercury into our ecosystem.

The fact is that energy-saving bulbs contain mercury, and some people have not switched from regular bulbs to energy-saving ones because of this fact. But it is also true that if we care about this, we must reduce electricity consumption, and one of the best ways to do this is to use energy-saving bulbs. They consume 75% less energy than regular ones, and using them also reduces the amount of mercury in the atmosphere. According to some studies, a regular 60W bulb produces 5.8 milligrams of mercury over its lifetime, while an energy-saving bulb of the same wattage produces 1.8 milligrams in the same period, which, by the way, is longer than that of a regular bulb.

7. Transition from regular to energy-saving bulbs
Myth: You should wait for all regular bulbs to burn out before switching to energy-saving bulbs.
Truth: This is unnecessary waste of money and energy.

Some scientists have estimated that savings are achieved if regular bulbs are replaced immediately while they are still usable. It is estimated that during the lifetime of energy-saving bulbs, which is 12,000 hours, nearly 300 kuna can be saved.

8. Artificial Christmas tree
Myth: It is better to buy an artificial Christmas tree than a natural one.
Truth: Completely wrong.

Artificial trees can be reused multiple times, but the question here is whether to use renewable or non-renewable resources. Every year when used Christmas trees are discarded, they are collected and turned into mulch that is used to protect the roots of trees. Thus, the life of the Christmas tree continues. It should also be noted that the vast majority of these trees are grown in controlled conditions where, after one is cut down, at least one new tree is planted. There are data indicating that currently, 350 million coniferous trees are grown in the U.S., of which 30 million are sold every Christmas. While growing, they produce oxygen. On the other hand, artificial trees are made from non-renewable plastic, and moreover, most of them, over 92%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, are imported from China.

9. Paper or plastic bags?
Myth: It is better to use paper bags than plastic ones.
Truth: Neither one nor the other.

According to some studies, it is smarter to use plastic bags because it takes four times less energy to produce a plastic bag than a paper one; on the other hand, a large amount of trees is needed to produce paper bags. The downside of plastic bags is that they do not decompose easily. Therefore, ultimately, it is best to use cloth bags, and if there is no other choice but plastic or paper, then at least make an effort to recycle the plastic one.

10. Organic jeans
Myth: It is okay to buy a few pairs of pants made from organic jeans because they are made from natural materials.
Truth: The production of one pair of pants made from organic jeans requires the same amount of water as the production of regular jeans.

It is estimated that producing organic jeans requires 7,950 liters of water, not counting the water needed for dyeing those pants. In places where water is not available in such large quantities, one should question whether it is wise to grow cotton needed for jeans production. Polyester could be a better solution in terms of resource conservation, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. For example, some manufacturers sell clothing made from recycled or previously used polyester.