US Ranks LAST on "Greendex" test... but Really?

The National Geographic Society conducted a survey in 14 countries in an attempt to determine the environmental consumption habits in relation to "Green Living".

"Americans were least likely to choose the greener option in three of four categories — housing, transportation and consumer goods — according to the assessment"

At a 50,000ft level, I can see how this survey's results have any intrinsic value... and I am sure that the results will be further used by the Global Warming Gestapo to show, yet again, that Americans are the source of the worlds ills.

However, as was reported in the article revealing the results:

"Brazil ranked high, for example, because the average household is physically small, most homes aren't heated, few are air-conditioned and Brazilians tend to use on-demand water heaters."

Brazil is ranked at the top because their citizens live in hovels. That may be a bit extreme, but when most homes are unpowered, unheated, lacking air conditioning or other amenities that a first world country enjoys, one must consider the intended outcome of such a survey. Is the National Geographic Society suggesting that Americans return to pre-industrial revolution lifestyles?

Perhaps.

But let's look at the other countries that "beat" the US (in order of ranking):

1. Brazil
2. India
3. China
4. Mexico
5. Hungary
6. Russia
7. Great Britain
8. Germany
9. Australia
10. Spain
11. Japan
12. France
13. Canada

We've discussed Brazil. Now the next two are India and China, both developing countries in their own Industrial Revolutions, and both with a majority of their citizens living in poverty without power or other first world amenities.

Mexico, ranking fourth... where 1/10 of Mexico's population is living within the borders of the United States. The northern towns are in destitution, poverty and lawlessness is the norm.

Hungary, a nation whose goal is to "become a developed country by IMF standards". The IMF is the International Monetary Fund. Hungary is a self described "less than first world" country.

The top 5 finishers in the "Greendex" survey, then, come from undeveloped and poverty stricken countries... mostly where there is no free market choice of consumption, and often times little to no consumption choice even available.

My summary is that the survey, which is soon to be another tool in the belt of the Al Gores of the world, is little more than useless data decrying advances in the modern world.

Can developed countries do better to "be green". Yes.

But don't try to use a survey to show that the US ranks last, when the outcome of the survey is based on the general poverty level of the citizens... A green ranking should not be given just because the citizens live in unpowered mud huts in the swamps. A more accurate ranking would take into account level of technologies, and our ability and willingness to use said technology to ensure higher standards of living in conjunction with green living.