Environmentalism

So, now you know that I am anti-environmentalism.  What you may not realize is that I'm, well, an environmentalist.  That's right.  In case you misunderstood the first post, my heartache is not with taking care of the Earth.  It is with the rabid fundamentalism that I have a problem.  I have a thing about fundamentalism.  It takes over your whole existence.  It changes who you are.  It harms you, and reaches out to pull others into its midst.  It is not a good thing.

Taking care of our Earth is our right, our privilege, and our responsibility.  It is needed to protect this beautiful planet we call home.  It is necessary to be able to walk the land that I love.  Yet, I do not believe in man caused global warming.  I do believe there can be a happy balance between the earth and mankind. I do believe that we can protect the earth, yet still have happy lives, devoid of erroneous sacrifice.  There is always sacrifice in life, and that is not a bad thing.  But, it should not come at the hand of someone else.  The decision to make a sacrifice should only be made by the person sacrificing.  Otherwise, it is not a sacrifice, but a deprivation.  The two are not synonymous.

So, in closing, I would say to protect the earth.  Hold it dear.  Recycle, if you truly believe that is the best option you have.  I would say, use less in the first place.  But, you see, I don't hold the pulpit.  Therefore, my ideas are not the ones followed.  I would never think to slough off my responsibilities on someone else by buying 'carbon offsets.'  On the other hand, I don't think that carbon is such a bad thing.  So, perhaps I am just coming at this from a different perspective.  Perhaps when people call me an 'earth mama,' they really see me for who I am, but don't know the frustration I feel with the title.  I truly am an 'earth mama.'  I truly love the earth, and the land that I walk upon.  But, I really cannot get behind the environmentalist movement.  It is just too radical.

Anti-Environmentalism

I've posted before, briefly, my feelings on the environmentalist movement.  As far as I am concerned, any form of extremism is a bad thing.  I am all about moderation.  As you've probably noticed, I do not moderate my opinions after I make up my mind.  However, I strongly (hee hee) believe that believe that all things are worth considering, and each decision, and view point, should be well thought out, and then passionately held.  However, I also believe that "a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."  This is where moderation comes in.  I have a lot of friends who disagree with me on the subjects of abortion, stay-at-home-moms, homeschooling, war, and yes, even environmentalism.  However, I know that hitting them over the head will not make them agree with me, it will just make them mad.

The environmentalist movement tries to hit everyone on the head.  They take all comers.  There is no moderation.  They attempt to blame global warming (now known as climate change- I wonder why?) on humans, without having proof.  Then, they wonder why such a large portion of the population doesn't want to reduce their 'carbon footprint', especially since lowering their 'carbon footprint' would probably lower their electric bill, as well.  They try to stop undergrowth burning, then wonder why people think they're crazy.  (After all, wild fires controlled undergrowth long before man came along.)

Yet, I've always been an 'environmentalist.'  Many wouldn't recognize me as such, because my environmentalism is moderated.  It goes along with modern life.  It is hard to live in a modern house, and not use electricity, especially when that house is so poorly built, energy wise.  We have to live within our means, whether they be environmental means, or financial means.  I am all about conserving gas, if only to reduce the amount of money we spend.  But, I will not stop driving just because of the environment.  I prefer to use renewable resources, because I LOVE the land.   I hate watching Walmart build new stores, abandoning the old stores, which frequently go unused for years.  I like supporting the local economy, because I support small businesses, and I usually get better service.  I want to protect my precious land from urban sprawl (at heart I'm a farmer), and I truly believe that many of the people who build houses  outside the city don't want to live in the country, they just want better neighborhoods and schools.  I think urban renewal is much better for that.  However, I don't think it's something that should be regulated by law.  I think the grassroots movements in this area is where it's at.  I like buying organic, because I truly believe it is better for my family and my land, but I also know I can't always afford to do so.  It's a delicate balancing act.  I am someone who would prefer to be completely self-sufficient, completely off the grid.  Not because I don't want to use electricity, but rather because I want to be able to completely care for my family and myself. Many environmentalists, though, would snub that reason.  Never mind the fact that it is just as environmentally healthy as the person who lives off-grid for environmental reasons.  There are many things I want to do, but just aren't possible at this time in my life.

And, that my friends, is where the environmentalist movement looses me.  You see, as a whole, it is extreme.  It believes that everyone should stop all 'earth damaging' things immediately.  I just can't see my way to do that.  I have to think short and long term.  Plus, I have to think logically.  I have to realize that some of the things environmentalists call for (see burning above) are absolutely ridiculous.  And, hopefully, the environmentalists will begin to see that moderation is called for.

Wow.  I know that was really rambling, and probably did not get my point across, at all.  It was just a stream of conscience post.  I'm sorry.  Please, comment so that we can talk, and maybe I can get it out a little better.