Are China, India, and Third world countries green? Maybe in the "eco-tourist" areas of these countries. However, travel outside of the "tourista" section of each of these countries. You will see a mess as I have. Sewage, car batteries, polluting cars and motorcycles in the streets. Trash thrown in the Caribbean Sea. I guess we can blame the oppressive U.S. for their problem, and not their own oppressive governments. One gets sick and tired of those blaming us (particularly the U.S. for the worlds problems).
The U.S. has some of the most stringent environmental rules around. Permits upon permits are required before the first shovel goes into the ground, before the first tree is cut. Gone are the days of uncontrolled mining, gas and oil exploration, clear cutting, etc. Once a city meets EPA emissions standards, they increase the regulations again. When will it end. Classifying CO2 as a deadly gas just put the death knell in the coffin.
I as an outdoors man (rather for those who prefer the p.c. way "outdoors person") have seen some good regulations in place-and some not so good ones. Some good ones-IMHO-Fishing and Game limits, protecting fisheries-habitat for wildlife. Not good ones-The plan on designating areas as off limits to anything-hiking-fishing-hunting-trail riding.
Another is on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River-a river already with controlled access. Every rafting party must pack out their own sewage. So you get an old ammo can and do your duty in it for a week. Never mind the Class 4 and 5 rapids. If you don't secure the "load", it will spill. If it survives the week, you have your own environmental disaster waiting to be cleaned out.
I was into recycling before it was cool. As a kid I collected beer and pop cans for extra money. I garden, so I composted before it was cool. Now it seems to be some passing fad.
So to those who assume I am the biggest polluter on earth, you would be surprised at how much I care for the environment. However, I will not use reusable washcloths and one square of one ply toilet paper to wipe my A#$