Ted Sares [04/27/2008]

By Ted Sares

Let me acknowledge at the outset that this essay does not contain a popular message, particularly in this age of obfuscation and lack of straight talk. But its time we started looking out for our own welfare.Which brings me to Earth Day. As this holiday approached, something else has been approaching as well namely, $4-a-gallon gas at the pumps. As we painfully struggle with the price of fuel to heat our homes and soaring gas prices for our vehicles (and the brutal trickle down impact), the development of sources that could offset this pain remain prohibited. Nuclear power, offshore drilling and the development of Alaskan oil, among other things, are there to be tapped, but the environmentalists have said hands off. So we remain dependent on the resources of other countries that manipulate prices, but blame those prices on the vagaries of supply and demand. Maybe the time has come to say hands on. Maybe the time has come to say we need to intrude on the environment if we are to improve the external material conditions of human life such as cheaper and abundant energy resources. Vernal ponds, spotted owls and the rights of snail darters are important. Yes, there is great danger from global warming, acid rain, and the logging of rain forests. And God only knows that cutting down on the use of plastic bags and insisting on recycling can bring about dramatic results, and I do these things. But an arbitrary approach to protecting the environment on a macro level is wrong; there has to be a more realistic and sensible approach, one that includes the path of dialogue and does not incude a take no prisoners approach. After all, the rights of and benefits to mankind are pretty important as well. Look at it this way. A chemical plant, by its very nature, must be a safe place to work, but to make it 100 percent fail-safe would be cost prohibitive. It simply would not be able to compete. Thus a balance is reached.A recent op-ed piece I read stated, in part, ...Had the environmentalist mentality prevailed in the 18th and 19th centuries, we would have had no Industrial Revolution, a situation that consistent environmentalists would cheer at least those few who might have managed to survive without the life-saving benefits of modern science and technology.Someday (likely sooner than later), this issue may get to the point of choosing between the natural environment for its intrinsic value (and as something to remain untouched by man) versus our right to a more prosperous and enjoyable life because of the life-saving benefits of modern science and technology. To those who suggest the environment must be saved from mankind, I say how about saving mankind from the environmentalists. To those who say we must make a sacrifice, I say why should we as Americans suffer because we are not allowed to tap resources that would mitigate such suffering? To the Sierra Club and Earth First, I say why should we suffer from rolling blackouts and insanely high land costs in many parts of the United States because of regulations that your organizations support?Yes, with the impetus of Earth Day, environmentalists are working their guilt on those of us who still believe in a technological/industrial civilization. And if you think their goal is to further human health, happiness and life, you may be underestimating their cult-like fanaticism. When I inevitably ante up $4 per gallon of gas (as they already are doing on the west coast), Ill try not to keep in mind the truism that sacrificing the needs of the economy for the environment will destroy both. Ill also ignore the fact that the initial parameters of the Kyoto treaty exempt India, China and other emerging countries thus creating the self-defeating incentive to transfer pollution-intense production to countries thatwill carry out such production at even higher levels of pollution.In a nation founded on the pioneer spirit, environmentalists have made "development" an evil word. --Michael S. Berliner, ARI Phasing out the human race will solve every problem on earth, social and environmental. Dave Forman, Founder of Earth First!Ted Sares welcomes feedback and can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com