Re: Environmentalists and Agriculturists
R. H. (dickr@utxvm.cc.utexas.edu)
Thu, 30 Dec 93 12:33:24 EST
>
>To: bobw@ncatfyv.uark.edu (Bob Wilson)
>From: dickr@utxvm.cc.utexas.edu (R. H. (Dick) Richardson)
>Subject: Re: Environmentalists and Agriculturists
>Cc:
>Bcc:
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>
>Bob Wilson's anguish over the compromise between Agriculturists (A) and
>Environmentalists (E) reverberates in all of us, I believe. More and more of
>us are struggling to have a piece of the shrinking pie. Population size in
>humans continues to climb while space that we identify as "wildnerness" or
>"cropland" or some other "useful" land shrinks, not to mention the marine
>equivalents. Ultimately compromise is a way to share the loss. It won't work
>for much longer!
>
>We can argue the numbers and models, but the global, continental, national,
>and local statistics tell the story. Although we find that A's and E's can be
>brought together in win/win arrangements, even THAT is for naught unless our
>species' reproduction and it's consumptive appetite is redirected. Yet, we in
>"developed" countries work very hard to export our "technology" with the best
>advertising (educational technology) we have. India will soon eclipse China
>as the world's most populous nation. Yet a child in the USA consumes 20-30
>times the world average of resources. (Notice that both A's and E's are
>talking about renewable resources; renewable and non-renewable resources lose
>distinction in a suffering ecosystem.) The consumption is especially wasteful
>when it sends "trash" into the atmosphere, ocean, or landfill. Recycling is
>not enough when "high quality" materials are "degraded" into carbon dioxide
>instead of reused. If we think about how we'll continue developing that which
>we acquire, it's a lot less interesting to acquire "things" in the first
>place! When kids are "assets" in our definition of a "high quality of life"
>they become "things." We don't do very well "recycling" them today, much less
>helping them live better. (How much packaging and former greenery have been
>trashed "for kids" in the past week?)
>
>What's THE solution? I don't know. But, for me, I'll have number one
>resolution for 1994 to wastefully consume 25% less than I did in 1993. Number
>two will be to refrain from saying "Congratulations" when someone has a child
>and say "Congratulations" when someone reaches out to join hands in
>recognizing we all share a common biosphere and geosphere. Number three will
>be to examine my actions daily with respect to the "larger context" and adjust
>as I understand the differences between Ecologically Destabilizing behavior
>and Ecologically Stabilizing behavior. Number four will be to redefine my
>values (or at least the rules I apply to decide if I am "succssful" or not) to
>feel fulfilled and happy when I am learning to leave smaller footprints in the
>ecosystem and larger footprints of cooperative learning and playing along the
>Path. My grandkids seem to learn easier than I do, so I'll have to pay more
>attention to playing as I learn. They know that "being serious" doesn't mean
>"heavy duty".
>
>The beauty of this network of learners is that it is as local as my keyboard,
>and as global as those who read my thoughts, and it's a multipathway of such
>bidirectional links. As we reach a better understanding together, we are a
>global experiment in finding solutions, step by step. I feel fortunate,
>indeed, to be able to be a part of this group.
>
>"Congratulations, Networkers!!"
>
>
R. H. (Dick) Richardson
Zoology Dept.
Univ. of Texas
Austin, TX 78712
email: dickr@utxvm.cc.utexas.edu
office: 512-471-4128
home: 512-476-5131
FAX: 512-471-9651