The Pragmatic Environmentalist.

All environmentalists are nimbys to some degree, because with their heads in the clouds they are intent on preserving the status quo, or even reversing history. To greenies, progress seems to be a four letter word. Indeed the more rabid environmentalists seem to be advocating a return to a stone age life style, an ideal probably not shared by the majority of their neighbours.

I have been known to describe myself as a pragmatic environmentalist, which I have been told is an oxymoron. I know what a moron is and on occasion have been called much worse, but what in hell is an oxy? It is simply not within the realm of possibility to save all the species which still exist in our world, as many environmentalists wish. In any event we are told that more creatures have become extinct in historic and prehistoric times due to entirely natural causes, than presently exist on planet earth. Pragmatic, because I understand and concur with the necessity of protecting against uncontrolled exploitation of the world's natural resources, but also appreciate the advantages to be gained through the reasonable use of these same resources and those still to be discovered.

It is all too easy to find evidence of man's destructive tendencies in the name of progress, and it is often difficult to reconcile this with the ideal of leaving the world a better place than it was when we found it, but at least we should all consider that principle from time to time. With or without the aid of mankind, change, like death and taxes, is inevitable, but many are afraid of it.

How much of the atmospheric change currently making headlines is scientifically attributable to mankind's carbon emissions. With the notable exception of oilmen, most thinking people believe that the rapid increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that has occurred since the start of the industrial revolution in the 18th century, is to some degree caused by man. The related greenhouse effect is no longer scientifically in question. The remaining, and more important question is how to fix this problem.

I personally believe that we are in deep doodoo, but this is certainly a topic to be dealt with in blogs to come.