Defining a "Greenie"..

[vicrev]

What is a Greenie ? & I don't mean Kermit the frog lookalikes....I see & hear it all the time "*&%$#! Greenies" it seems to be a broad description of people who care for the land & what is above it....people who protest about felling."*&%$#! Greenies"..........save the humpback ? snail "*&%$#! Greenies......save the crosseyed possum "*&%$#! Greenies".......stop the dams "*&%$#! Greenies"......etc etc "*&%$#! Greenies".........do they only care about what they protest about ?..eg the "*&%$#! Greenies"who protest about Tas rainforests care about the Barrier Reef ? or the Leadbottom Possum ?........I suppose I should look at myself, I care for the land & everything above it & want future generations to enjoy it,that must make me a "*&%$#! *&%$#! Greenie"....

[corvus]

What is a Greenie ? & I don't mean Kermit the frog lookalikes....I see & hear it all the time "*&%$#! Greenies" it seems to be a broad description of people who care for the land & what is above it....people who protest about felling."*&%$#! Greenies"..........save the humpback ? snail "*&%$#! Greenies......save the crosseyed possum "*&%$#! Greenies".......stop the dams "*&%$#! Greenies"......etc etc "*&%$#! Greenies".........do they only care about what they protest about ?..eg the "*&%$#! Greenies"who protest about Tas rainforests care about the Barrier Reef ? or the Leadbottom Possum ?........I suppose I should look at myself, I care for the land & everything above it & want future generations to enjoy it,that must make me a "*&%$#! *&%$#! Greenie"....

All depends ? because of my love of Nature Birds Bees Plants Trees and Animals and also being an Organic Veggie gardener I suspect I may be a "Greenie" albeit Light Green

[GPSGuided]

I would see 'Greenies' as those who are zealots with environmental protection, beyond those who are just environmentally conscious and doing the right things in daily lives.

[Hallu]

A greenie is a member or someone who votes for the Green party, simple as that. It's not necessarily a conservationist and vice versa. I for example can't stand the French Green party anymore. They promote "green energies" that are more harmful than anything (solar panels, wind turbines) when used in such an industrial scale (some forest and wetlands were removed in France to make room for them...), and I think that for the time being nuclear energy is better as it's (at least in France) safe, powerful, and doesn't pollute much (only rejects water, and nuclear waste hasn't cause any environmental disaster so far). The worst greenie is the one that can't think for himself, and takes his facts from other people without verifying the source. That's been harmful to their credibility in the past, and in recent years it's lead Germany to do this utter BS by getting rid of their nuclear power to put "green energies". But they don't produce enough, so they put coal power plants instead which pollute more than any other type of energy (oh and by the way Australia did the same mistake as well...).

In France, the Green party is dead last in the polls for a very simple reason : both major parties now have ecological ideas. It is the same in the US : when you got democrats (relatively) strong on conservation and ecology, you don't need a green party. Australia is different. The Green party here is still strong simply because the 2 major parties are doing almost nothing to protect the environment. The industry comes first.

You have people of all political background who are conservationists at heart but not greenies. A hunter or a logger can care about the environment for example (that's mostly a European thing however), it doesn't make him a greenie.

So I'm not a fan of greenies, however without their zeal and illegal actions, there would be a lot more dams in Australia, a lot less protected areas and species. And to take a few recent exemples in France, there would be an ugly Center Parks instead of an important forest, or a stupid useless irrigation dam to please 5 farmers instead of a wetland that birds and amphibians sorely need.

[Son of a Beach]

A greenie is a member or someone who votes for the Green party, simple as that.

It may be that simple elsewhere. However, in Australia, the terms "green" and "greenie" referred to environmentalists long before there was any "environmentalist" political party in Australia to vote for. It is far from simple here.

According to the Oxford dictionary, it is a supporter of an environmental group or party. According to dictionary.com it is:

Australian Slang. a conservationist or environmentalist, especially one who participates in protest demonstrations.

To many people in Australia, it is merely somebody who places high value on preservation of the natural environment.

Confusion often ensues, because it does have such vastly different meanings which are easily confused (ie, from purely political to purely a-political, and from illegal activist, to simply a personal value).

PS. There is also the London Slang version: http://www.slang-dictionary.org/greenie - a mixture of spit and snot.

[perfectlydark]

I just dont see how it has become an insult to call someone a greenie in this country. Like its a bad thing you care for the natural world over mining or development or whatever...

[Pteropus]

The use of the term “greenie” is somewhat subjective, but I think SoB’s explanation probably fits the bill in the Australian context (though isn't a mixture of spit and snot a "golly" ). Whether greenie is used as an insult, common term for environmentalist, or perhaps even a term of endearment, is probably up individuals.

[GPSGuided]

I thought it's a term of endearment!

[perfectlydark]

it is here at least Head to some other forums and you might find being a greenie is the equivilant to being an ISIS fighter!

[GPSGuided]

Or a petrolhead.

[Lophophaps]

Agree pretty much with SoB. To me "Greenie" is the slightly more extreme or dedicated end of the spectrum. I see myself as a conservationist, and base my life around that. A small environmental foot print costs less than wasting resources, and is better for the earth.

[juxtaposer]

Don't quote me on this, but I think the term "greenie" emerged from around the time of the green bans in urban Sydney in the early 70's, when it had more to do with the preservation of urban heritage than of the natural environment. However, it really caught on at the time of the Franklin campaign when the media wanted a blanket to throw over the great many people who answered the call to protest the building of the dam. As a bushwalker who participated in that protest, I would say that you could never in your life expect to meet a more diverse gathering of people with a bewildering array of differing and conflicting views, not just on conservation, but on everything. Despite that, they all joined in a common cause to defend the South West Tasmanian wilderness, thinking that it was simply the right thing to do. Were they zealots? - if so, thank God for them, but to think that they could all be stereotyped under the heading of "greenie" was ridiculous; in fact so laughable that they adopted it as a badge of pride and it remains today as a nick name for conservationists generally.

[GPSGuided]

... and I think that for the time being nuclear energy is better as it's (at least in France) safe, powerful, and doesn't pollute much (only rejects water, and nuclear waste hasn't cause any environmental disaster so far). The worst greenie is the one that can't think for himself, and takes his facts from other people without verifying the source...

That's one whole big issue and I agree with you. Fact is, short of Noah and a repeat of the Genesis flood, nuclear MAD scenario is the 'perfect' solution to drastically reduce the human population, reverse the economy and put CO2 production in a free fall, thereby save the planet from global warming. However, no voter will support that for their own precious life and financial wellbeing. Even the Greenies won't go this far.

[north-north-west]

Don't quote me on this, but I think the term "greenie" emerged from around the time of the green bans in urban Sydney in the early 70's, when it had more to do with the preservation of urban heritage than of the natural environment. However, it really caught on at the time of the Franklin campaign when the media wanted a blanket to throw over the great many people who answered the call to protest the building of the dam. As a bushwalker who participated in that protest, I would say that you could never in your life expect to meet a more diverse gathering of people with a bewildering array of differing and conflicting views, not just on conservation, but on everything. Despite that, they all joined in a common cause to defend the South West Tasmanian wilderness, thinking that it was simply the right thing to do. Were they zealots? - if so, thank God for them, but to think that they could all be stereotyped under the heading of "greenie" was ridiculous; in fact so laughable that they adopted it as a badge of pride and it remains today as a nick name for conservationists generally.

Sorry, but I had to. You're spot on with that.
Still, that Franklin campaign was *&%$#! fun in a way, wasn't it?

[Lophophaps]

Sorry, but I had to. You're spot on with that.
Still, that Franklin campaign was *&%$#! fun in a way, wasn't it?

Much fun and merriment. It ultimately got rid of the ruling HEC party, coined the best political slogan since "Its time" - "No dams" (or as a friend asked, no damn what?), and kick-started a conservation movement that endures. The utter stupidity, short-sightedness and poor economic management by the state government remains on record. Mind you, that's the way governments work. Could never happen at a feral level, er, federal level I mean. Me, cynical? Surely not.

[north-north-west]

The utter stupidity, short-sightedness and poor economic management by the state government remains on record.

And remains the standard operating procedure, albeit with a different spearhead: logging.

'Cynical' is a synonym for 'realistic'. If one expects the worst, one is seldom disappointed.

[Lophophaps]

I expect the wurst, with a salad.

[Happy Pirate]

What is a Greenie ? & I don't mean Kermit the frog lookalikes....I see & hear it all the time "*&%$#! Greenies" it seems to be a broad description of people who care for the land & what is above it....people who protest about felling."*&%$#! Greenies"..........save the humpback ? snail "*&%$#! Greenies......save the crosseyed possum "*&%$#! Greenies".......stop the dams "*&%$#! Greenies"......etc etc "*&%$#! Greenies".........do they only care about what they protest about ?..eg the "*&%$#! Greenies"who protest about Tas rainforests care about the Barrier Reef ? or the Leadbottom Possum ?........I suppose I should look at myself, I care for the land & everything above it & want future generations to enjoy it,that must make me a "*&%$#! *&%$#! Greenie"....

I think you summed it up.
A 'Greenie' is anyone who disagrees with a redneck...

Plenty of them (Rednecks) here in Tumut. I have to pass several bumper stickers in the work carpark saying I should be shot...

It's a derogative term nowdays and as a committed Greens voter I wouldn't use it to describe myself.

Steve

[north-north-west]

It's a derogative term nowdays ...

One of the worst things about Australia - how polarised our society has become, and how often attempts at meaningful dialogue (cringe @ managementspeak) are shouted down by slogans and mindless catchphrases. 'Compassion' and 'conservation' have become dirty words. If you care about the environment you're a &*^#$& Greenie, if you care about people who are doing it hard you're a %$#^&$ bleeding heart do-gooder, if you try to be logical you're a &%$#(& pseudo intellectual.
And our politicians actively and deliberately feed into this and use it.

[Lophophaps]

One of the worst things about Australia - how polarised our society has become, and how often attempts at meaningful dialogue (cringe @ managementspeak) are shouted down by slogans and mindless catchphrases. 'Compassion' and 'conservation' have become dirty words. If you care about the environment you're a &*^#$& Greenie, if you care about people who are doing it hard you're a %$#^&$ bleeding heart do-gooder, if you try to be logical you're a &%$#(& pseudo intellectual.
And our politicians actively and deliberately feed into this and use it.

Agree. Funny thing is that conservation and the economy are linked. China had to shut down factories for the Olympics so that people could breathe easier. If the Great Barrier Reef goes then a large chunk of infrastructure is at risk due to storm and tidal surge. Deforestation of riparian zones and surrounding areas leads to adverse implications for the quality, quantity and timing of water delivery. Global warming is affecting the ability of land to grow crops. This is not assisted by ever-expanding cities, which also adds to the problem of commuting. The list is very long.

Every week I see comments about conservation on the business pages, invariably by respected economists. The focus on the short term at the expense of the long term is stupid. You can't have a huge meal now if it means going short until you reach the next resupply point, but that is what is happening now. Our children and their children will pay for our excesses.

By the above definition I'm a bleeding heart do-gooder and a &%$#(& pseudo intellectual. I'm also an investor, dealing in money, usual things like net profit after tax, return on equity, capital loss and all that jazz. This investor looks ten years hence; so far it has paid off. Look after the environment and it looks after us. Despoil the environment and we will pay.

Conservation is good economics.

[GPSGuided]

By the above definition I'm a bleeding heart do-gooder and a &%$#(& pseudo intellectual. I'm also an investor, dealing in money, usual things like net profit after tax, return on equity, capital loss and all that jazz. This investor looks ten years hence; so far it has paid off. Look after the environment and it looks after us. Despoil the environment and we will pay.

Conservation is good economics.

Unfortunately, investors also come for different investment time frames and many only have short term objectives. Similarly, politicians only have 3-4 years terms.

[peregrinator]

By the above definition I'm a bleeding heart do-gooder and a &%$#(& pseudo intellectual. I'm also an investor, dealing in money, usual things like net profit after tax, return on equity, capital loss and all that jazz. This investor looks ten years hence; so far it has paid off. Look after the environment and it looks after us. Despoil the environment and we will pay.

Conservation is good economics.

Unfortunately, investors also come for different investment time frames and many only have short term objectives. Similarly, politicians only have 3-4 years terms.

Lophophaps would seem to have a better grasp of this issue than me, but I believe the short-term thrill seekers are traders, not investors.

[Hallu]

Well I seem to remember a time when Australian politicians didn't care so much about their careers when human lives where on the line, about 20 years ago when they passed the gun control laws after Port Arthur...THAT was what politics is supposed to be about. It's the same thing with climate change. Extreme and more frequent bushfires, cyclones and rising sea WILL kill people and ARE already killing.

[maddog]

A greenie has been defined as a person who has wilderness between their ears.

[stepbystep]

A greenie has been defined as a person who has wilderness between their ears...

...and in their heart. Powerful stuff!

[GPSGuided]

Lophophaps would seem to have a better grasp of this issue than me, but I believe the short-term thrill seekers are traders, not investors.

Traders don't typically hold for 3-4yrs time frame. It's already the medium term.

[Lophophaps]

Lophophaps would seem to have a better grasp of this issue than me, but I believe the short-term thrill seekers are traders, not investors.

Share traders buy and sell quite often, with the shortest being called day traders. Most traders usually take longer than this, weeks or months at most. I'm an investor, with a 5-10 year mimnium investment horizon, which allows me to go bush without worrying about the market. It also takes less time to manage and for me at least is easier than trading. My finance software is very old, not even online.

For conservation and much if not all of life, what is needed is a balance bween short-, medium- and long-term goals. Ignore the long term at your peril. Sadly, with the instantanteous of modern technology, not that many are prepared to wait that long. Who cares about what happens in 2050? Too far away, no need to consider this. I'd love to be alive in 40 years when global warming starts to bite, and see the blame being made. Most Australian governments will seek to distance themselves from what their predecessors did. We live in interesting times.

[Zone-5]

A greenie is a member or someone who votes for the Green party, simple as that.

...eh, NO!

I'm a 'greenie' because I like plants, nature and not meddling with ecological environments. I like preserving wild things and enjoy remote locations away from maddening crowds. But I'm no socialist 'Green' party member, far from it!!!

To label me a Green party member to my face might instantly produce many stars in your field of vision...

So please don't confuse us genuine 'greenies' with that awful political party called 'The Greens'!

[corvus]

Not a Pacifist then eh!!

[stry]

A greenie is a member or someone who votes for the Green party, simple as that.

...eh, NO!

I'm a 'greenie' because I like plants, nature and not meddling with ecological environments. I like preserving wild things and enjoy remote locations away from maddening crowds. But I'm no socialist 'Green' party member, far from it!!!

To label me a Green party member to my face might instantly produce many stars in your field of vision...

So please don't confuse us genuine 'greenies' with that awful political party called 'The Greens'!

Now that's going to start something

Well put Zone 5 - I broadly agree with your view (although I would probably not provide stars )