Environment in crisis: 'We are past the point of no

[Guest guest]

Yes, I agree. I live in one of the countries that are responsible for the

situation we are in. The U.S. of A. I don't think it is a doomsday scenario

yet. However, we must be vigiliant and act now. The US has a long history of

coservation and environmental stewardship. Teddy Roosevelt created the first

National Park in the world in the US. (Yellowstone). The conservation movement

was strong during Roosevelt's time (and possibly before) at least through the

Progressive years of the 20's. The Great Depression of the 30's created a need

for conserving and recycling. The 60's ushered in the environmental movement

with Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring". In 1970, US Senator from Wisconsin,

William Proxmire started "Earth Day". Many environmental technologies started

in the US.

 

Since then we have become complacent. Most of the 60's activists have become

"successful" and they only care about their pocketbook. Most of the older folks

who grew up during the Depression are dying out. It is easy to blame it all on

the politicians. They do bear some responsibility but we, the people are the

ones who elected them. I have come to the conclusion that most people in this

country will not act unless it involves their pocketbook or affects them

directly. For the past 20 years, the US has been the country that turns the

economic motor of the world. People have their economic needs met so why

protect lands and why reduce pesticides and why eat organic?

 

The doctors here are almost like gods. I know because my mother and brothers

and sisters will always believe their doctor instead of listening to my advice.

 

I do think that if more studies are done with cost benefit analysis, then

people will listen more. People look at the short term much more than they look

at the long term so make those studies to show more short term benefits. A case

in point is that I recently read on this forum that people go to alternative

healers (Actually this is a very bad term since MDs should be the alternative

healers and natural healers, who have been around for eons, should bee the

mainstream.) are much more likely to go for more acute things like colds, flu,

etc than cancer and degenerative diseases.

 

GB Khalsa

We can stop environmental degradation if we act now.

Environment in crisis: 'We are past the point of no

return'

 

Environment in crisis: 'We are past the point of no return'

 

Thirty years ago, the scientist James Lovelock worked out that the

Earth

possessed a planetary-scale control system which kept the environment

fit

for life. He called it Gaia, and the theory has become widely accepted.

Now,

he believes mankind's abuse of the environment is making that mechanism

work

against us. His astonishing conclusion - that climate change is already

insoluble, and life on Earth will never be the same again.