At the moment the world is in the grip of 'Economic Rationalism'. This is the concept of profit at all costs, or, if it's good for the economy, all damage caused can be rationalised.
.As an example of this, the Exxon Valdez oil spill was actually the worlds greatest ever single boost to economic growth. This was brought about by the spending on insurance, a new oil tanker (with associated employment for all relevant tradespeople), civil and public legal proceedings, ongoing clean-up costs, compensation to residents and tourism operators, media sales, replacing the oil, etc etc etc. It was therefore looked on by world economic analysts as a very desirable thing to have happened, they would certainly not be particularly averse to it happening again. And here was me, thinking it was one of the greatest environmental disasters the world had ever known. Obscene, isn't it?
To use the famous words of Sting (in I Hope the Russians Love Their Children Too) 'I do not subscribe to this point of view.' I feel that it is up to us, right now, right here, to practice the concept of 'Save the World at All Costs'. If we do not, it may be too late for our children to do so.
I hear you ask, but how can I change the world? . You can start by recycling everything you are able. Use recycled products. Vote for political parties with proven environmentally conscious policies. Write to politicians. Boycott products that breach environmental ethics...these companies usually act within government standards, but that does NOT mean they are ethical! (I'm doing this at the moment with Kleenex paper products and Reflex copy paper...they are made partly from my local old-growth forests.) Write to the companies you are boycotting telling them why. Join environment groups. Become knowledgable.Sign petitions, make up petitions. Start your own groups in your area. Teach your children how not to make the problem worse. Don't litter! (Even a something as innocent as a banana peel is bad for the environment, because it is upsetting the balance of the eco-system everywhere that bananas don't naturally grow!) Think about having your car converted to LPG, use lead -free fuel where-ever you're able. Get a catalytic converter. Oh please...Stop Using Disposable Diapers! (Do you KNOW what they do? The thought of them just horrifies me!) Start a compost heap. Plant trees. Think. Protest. You don't have to do all of these things... but if you do even SOME of them, you'll have changed the world. . . These links may show you some more ways! Greenpeace International Friends of the Earth, USA Ocean Planet At The Smithsonian Northern Sun - Environmental Redwood Alliance Waveland . . . . Of particular interest to Australians Friends of the Earth, Sydney. Australian Conservation Foundation Australian Student Environment Network Stop Jabiluka! - Mirrar Gundjehmi Site The Australian Greens Party . . . In my backyard Indigenous Flora & Fauna Association Friends of the Gippsland Bush CROEG Homepage
and last but not least, my favourite rock band, the very environmental Midnight Oil. . .
All graphics for this page by Val Burge-Evans