Why I'm an environmentalist

[Kurska]

(I know there is a lot too read, It took me awhile to write this. I hope you find it worth your time to read)

I think there is a vicious caricature of environmentalists as people who reject modern life. The classical depiction seems to be a backward looking hippie who thinks life would be better if we rejected modern life and lived in the forest. People far too often think that environmentalism means that we need to spurn our current lives and live according to natural patterns that existed thousands of years ago. The assumption being that life was better back then. I reject this assumption, because to me it is obvious that it is entirely untrue. The human beings of today live longer, more comfortably and eat better than most of our ancestors could have ever possibly dreamed. Our generation is faster, stronger and smarter than any human beings that have existed previously. Through science we have abolished diseases that for most of recorded history decimated our civilizations. Our knowledge and our learning has afforded us with great power. Power so great, that it has given us the ability to reshape our world to our liking. Though there remain many great problems, want and hunger has been by no means eliminated, we live lives that are truly blessed when compared to those of our ancestors.

However, I believe that with our comfort and progress comes an indescribable debt. We have inherited immense power from the steady progress of humanity. If so inclined, we could tomorrow end all life or nearly all life on this planet or through carelessness and pollution we might end it slowly over the next few decades. This is our power and I believe that this is our choice. We can be the ending chapters of humanity, complete with a bleak and uncertain future. We can forsake the burdens and trials of our ancestors in pursuit of endless consumption now and thus doom our species. That is one option and I feel that right now that is the path that we have chosen.

I think there is another way though. We can recognize all that has been done for us and all that has been gifted to us through scientific progress. We can learn to use the immense powers gifted to us at birth to become caretakers for this planet. We can use our knowledge and our learning to discover new ways of living just as wondrous as our current life, but that are sustainable for centuries to come. We can recognize not only the debt we owe all the men and women of the past who have gifted us this blessed way of living, but also the debt we owe our children to continue the work of those men and women. I propose that I am environmentalist not because I want to reject progress, but because I want progress to continue. Just as our life might seem indescribably wonderful to people of thousands of years ago, I want to help create a future for our children's children that would seem even more splendid to us.

I know that I am willing to also carry that burden. I am willing to invest time, energy and money into technologies that will save our planet from ourselves. I am willing to sacrifice and perhaps even go without so that future generations will get a chance to continue our story. If need be, I will reject some of the pleasures of the present, because I believe in the glory of the future. What I want to know is if you are.

If you want a brief summary of why I believe that we need to invest in ways to conserve and improve our environment here it is. We already possess so much and our choice is this; Will we slavishly pursue comfort now and sacrifice our children's future or are we willing to sacrifice so that humanity may have a future?

Essentially, I'm an environmentalist, because I am a scientist for whom the future matters greatly.

I would love to hear what you have to say.

[RobertEarl]

1. I am a humanist

I want to preserve human kind from destroying itself and taking the natural world with it.

In order to convince other humans of that wisdom, first I have to recognize the environment and so I become an environmentalist.

And gawd is it great learning about the environment. Fluvial geo morphology is too cool. Tracking game is fun. Cloud watching and learning about the atmosphere is a great way to relax and study. Ocean watching where the animals have an easy escape from human predators can be exciting.

Problem is, when you do all this watching and trying to understand, you begin to see the damage being done. So then you start telling others and they don't want to hear it.

So at this point all one can really do is limit their consumption, lower their lifestyle and sit back and wonder at what is left and how hardy it is to have been able to survive this long. And try not to think about what is coming and how future generations of humans will never be able to experience this planet as we know it.

[Kurska]

2. I think there is a lot wisdom is what you are saying.

I also love the environmen and learning about it.

That is why the damage that is being done pains me so much. I was on the verge of tears when I learned of the horrible coal ash spill in North Carolina.

I think we differ in that I think we can still change our ways. I think we can still leave this planet better than we found it. Maybe I'm just naive.

[RobertEarl]

5. change happens

We can change our ways. I have changed my ways.

I used to get upset with people when I saw the changes being brought by my society. Now I don't get mad at individuals, just at the society. It is why I took up politics - to try and change society. Had some success at changing how society went about doing a few minor things and so I know society can change. Problem is not enough people are working to change society. Society just rambles on.

Now I am old and retired. It is in the hands of the young at this point and all I can do is offer this advice: enjoy!

[RobertEarl]

6. Why do I lay off individuals?

I came to the realization that it is the big players - the industries, the governments, etc. that with one bad decision can cause years of grief and much trouble. Whereas, it takes thousands of individuals to cause half as much problems.

Therefore, focusing on the big players was a better use of my time. For instance, getting mad at individual smokers solved nothing, but going after huge smokestack industries made big differences.

[silverweb]

3. Everything you say resonates with me.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]For sure, this excellent post would get a very positive reception in the "Frugal & Energy-Efficient Living" forum, so you might want to cross post there. Most threads tend to sink from view fast in General Discussion.

Many if not most of us in "Frugal" are already giving up at least some modern-day comforts and conveniences. Our aim is to be practicing environmentalists, living our convictions for the sake of future life on this planet. We're always looking for new ideas, too.

If you don't get much feedback here, see you in Frugal!

[Kurska]

4. I will be sure to cross post there

Thank you for your positive feedback.

[Little_Wing]

7. We cannot rest or give up hope, for our children depend on us to continue the struggle

I am not a scientist, but I trust in science to ultimately overcome the ignorance that impedes us at the moment. And that the truth will set us free to realize a best possible world. Thanks for working on our behalf, and for your lovely words.