Extreme green

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Toni Vernelli is a die-hard environmentalist. She was so concerned about reducing her carbon footprint that she did something most would consider extreme: She had an abortion and then a sterilization.

“Having children is selfish. It’s all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet,” says Toni, 35.

“Every person who is born uses more food, more water, more land, more fossil fuels, more trees and produces more rubbish, more pollution, more greenhouse gases, and adds to the problem of over-population.”

Vernelli  says she has never regretted her decision but is frustrated that people are unable to accept it. Instead, she says others see her “as some sort of anomaly” who “is considered barking mad.” What do you think of her efforts to live green?

11 Comments to “Extreme green”

  1. What would be the point of “living green” if we all go extinct?

  2. Kyle A - That is the point with many environmentalists. Humanity is the dangerous and deadly virus to Mother Earth and ought to be eradicated for Her protection.

    The lack of perspective is alarming, but really shouldn’t be a surprise.

  3. 3. Gravatar by Bob Buckles 12.03.07 at 10:25 am

    I have a sister who has decided not to have children for like reasons. She has a PhD as does her husband. The might have had a child who could have found the cure for cancer. Oh well.

  4. 4. Gravatar by Kwerna 12.03.07 at 10:38 am

    “Most people would consider extreme?” Sterilizing yourself IS extreme. You can’t get more extreme with your reproduction.

    Barking mad, no. Self-protective, imperious, draconian, and terrified, maybe–somehow hurt and unable to see–and prone to covering it all up by exalting it into idealism, the more absolutist the better.

    Come to think of it, sounds like the motivational cocktail the Sudanese Islamists are drinking.

  5. Well–as my grandmother used to say, “Everyone to her/his own taste, said the old lady as she kissed the cow.” This explains why animal rights folks often can’t extend their caring to unborn babies–or even born ones for that matter.

    But, if you don’t want kids, certainly it’s best not to have them.

  6. 6. Gravatar by StuBob 12.03.07 at 11:50 am

    Her logic is fine, as far as it goes. But what is it that keeps Ms. Vernelli from suicide?

  7. “You can’t get more extreme with your reproduction.”

    Oh yes you can. Try Stubob’s example…

    If humanity is really the scourge environmental whackos’ say it it, they they should, as the good apostle once put it: “Go the whole way.”

  8. 8. Gravatar by rdean 12.03.07 at 4:09 pm

    If idiocy is hereditary, it sounds like she did the right thing.

  9. To quote Puc in A Midsummer Night’s Dream: What fools these mortals be.

    How can anyone think that one human makes a difference? I wish all those who say humans are ruining the planet would set an example and leave. Yes, we cause some pollution, and we can do something to improve the environment. But this woman is too extreme.

  10. Bob,
    Perhaps in their minds the possibilty that their offspring might find a cure for cancer is just ANOTHER reason not to have kids - by the same logic. That would be consistent, at least.

  11. 11. Gravatar by HamachiTwo 12.03.07 at 11:05 pm

    She is just living by her convictions, right or wrong, like the pharmacist who refuses to sell legal medications based on his erroneous belief. To each his own.

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Gibbons Peck
Clearwater Christian College