[telegraph.hill]

Isn't it funny, some people, as soon as they discover that you are concerned about the environment, they think it's a huge joke? Luckily I don't meet this type of person very often, but when I do, I really wonder what is going on inside their heads. Such people seem to think that concern for the environment is in some way silly or trivial.

It could partly depend on the country. In Japan, I found people to generally very environmentally aware. And, in within Europe, Germany and Scandinavia are supposed to be very good in terms of overall level of public concern for the envirionment. I live in England, and perhaps people still have a long way to go here. Environmentalism is still seen as a bit "hippyish".

[horselover]

I've never met anyone like that myself either.

[Stepper]

It doesn't offend me. Planting and caring for trees is one of the main things we can do to help preserve the environment. Besides, in my family it's a term of endearment. My cousin's daughter has been called Tree Hugger since her early teens. Soon she'll finish her PhD (on some aspect of ecological sciences) and then we'll have to call her Dr. Tree Hugger!

[horselover]

Nothing wrong with tree huggers, and Dr. Tree hugger just makes her sound more important.

[GreenGeek]

I have a hemp t-shirt that says Tree Hugger on it. ;D

[Cindy]

I find the term "tree hugger" often comes in the form of a question. For instance, "Oh, are you a tree hugger?" To which one can always reply, "I prefer to sit beneath them, but whatever turns you on." (Say it with a smile.)

When it doesn't come in the form of a question, it has most likely been hurled as an insult, as in, "GD'ed tree hugger!!" And that is usually best ignored.

Cindy

[cats3]

I think "tree hugger" is a positive term.
I do know people who think environmentalists are extremists/eco-terrorists.
What's important is the message and who the messenger is.

Caring for the environment and doing one's part is a good thing.
Taking abuse - as in "no kindness goes unpunished" is another.

Sometimes it seems to take an enormous amount (a lifetime?) or perseverance/stick-to-itiveness
to see results or to spread a message that, in fact, thimblefuls of actions can, over time, amount to
large changes.

I see articles now about "soaring demand for organic goods" and read that PepsiCo is going to start
providing healthier options...

[myrrhmaid]

Because of who I am, I use to feel some sort of internal shame that I was just a frivolity as far as my values were concerned.(being a tree hugger flower child from my hippy mama) Then I realized/grew up! I am proud to be a tree hugger. I prefer to hug a person, but a tree will do in a pinch! Gratefully, I no longer value/believe the belittling implications some people feel inclined to spread so it doesn't affect who I am or what I believe in at all anymore. I'd rather be a bleeding heart then have no heart at all.

[Nicole107]

I prefer to sit beneath them, but whatever turns you on

Hehehe.. that's good. =) if someone has a problem with people that care about the environment I think I'd be more them that has the problem. Okay read this and be outraged, one of my "intelligent" classmates views on tree huggers.

"...Hippies yeah I contradicted what my second one was a proved the one before this but you tree hugging fu***rs wanting to save the world but all you do is smoke pot and listen to fish albums"

Ignorant much? No I don't smoke pot or listen to... who is "fish", anyone? I don't know why, but people that stick other people in these annyoing little catigories (tree hugger being one of them.) just make me sad for the human race.

[horselover]

Did this person grow up in the 60's or 70's? Seems like back then, from what I've seen on t.v and heard about, tree huggers did just that. They were hippies.

Modern day tree huggers are different. We've modernized and most people have grown out of hippie status. Gone are the days of flower power and just sitting around wasting your day smoking pot. Tell your "intelligent" classmate to grow up!!