Some ways to help the environment are full of bull

Tonight on the ABC Nightly News there was the second installment of the "2 ways you can help the environment". One of the ways they suggested was to update your refrigerator. The reporter mentioned how the newer refrigerators are more energy efficient than the older models. That is probably true but what happens to the old refrigerator? Into a landfill? Or abandoned on some vacant lot? Now if everyone went out and bought a new refrigerator then mining for iron ore would increase to supply the steel thus causing more damage to the environment. I wish the reporter would step back and take a look at the whole picture. He never did mention that with the economy the way it is today, not many people can run out and buy a new refrigerator. I just shake my head at the suggestions that people come up with during an energy crunch.