Everyone's right. Republicans are right, democrats are right. Nobody's wrong, ever. It's truly fascinating that no one can be held accountable for anything going wrong if everybody's right. I jumped off a boat this weekend into 50 feet of visibility in the Florida Keys. I was in what is called a sanctuary preservation area (SPA). This is an area completely set apart where no consumption of any kind is allowed, down to the tiniest sea shell. It's a simple idea, set apart an area for protection and see if it recovers. And this one, for the most part, has. There were a lot of predators around, piscivores, fish that eat fish. This is a good sign usually, (Nutrients, predators, got it Mark). I got to see a lot of things that I have never seen before, as well as some that I had. Two species of sea turtles, massive conch laying around, lobsters bigger than the legal limit, and unafraid groupers just checking out your bubbles. All of this because of a simple no-take rule. Though, the no-take stipulation was and is quite controversial among various stakeholders. Talk to environmentalist, and you will get the opinion that the entire archipelago should be protected, they're right. Talk to commercial fishers and you are likely to hear that not one bit of the Keys should be protected, they're also right. Remember, no one's wrong. The fact is, only 6% of the entire archipelago is set aside as no-take. Some no consumption, some research only, and some in the far west, a designated national park. So there is plenty of room room to fish, 94% right. Well, it's tricky if you ask the commercial fishers, they'll tell you that a lot of the best spots were designated as protected, leaving them with the short end of the stick. So, if everyone's right, then who is wrong.
Being an advocate has it's ups and downs. I believe it has a lot to do with what you are advocating for. Advocating for the environment is not "Sexy" in my experience people just don't care. As long as the grocery store is full, the air they breathe doesn't burn their lungs, or the water is somewhat see through, then people are more than content to just let things be. Some will even argue that there is no problem, that business as usual is the course that should be held. When I encounter this kind of reaction, it is discouraging. Not that I don't expect to encounter resistance, I've known for a really long time that advocating for the environment is more than likely going to bring about some negative reactions from people (hippie, socialist, liberal). But this is what I do. This isn't a hobby, it's my job. It's my job to speak up and say, "Hey, maybe we shouldn't catch every fish in the sea. What if we leave at least two, so that they can have little fish babies." I'm not a disruptor of business, I'm an advocate for business, the future of your business. But it's okay, everybody's right.
The point is, it is very hard to pull people into this cause, a cause that I believe is really and truly a matter of life and death for millions of people around the world. 5000 people will die today because they don't have access to clean water. 925 million people suffer from chronic hunger each day. You and I will generate 4.7 pounds of solid waste TODAY that will end up in a landfill somewhere. The US will use somewhere around 19 million barrels of oil today. Though we just don't see it. But they're right, and I'm right, no one's wrong. What discourages me often is that when the people I am constantly around, push back, or don't care. I find this strange because this generation is so quick to jump on causes. I had an event for which I was going to promote a project that I received a grant to build. For one night I was going to try and use a platform to raise some issues concerning sustainability. It just happened to coincide with Earth Hour, an even that for one hour, ONE HOUR out of the entire year, you turn your lights off to raise awareness about energy consumption. Long story short, I made a little speech that was brushed off by all but a few and it was back to work. I'm just little discouraged, for a number of reasons. I'm going to end the post here. There is a another paragraph below that I'm not going to publish. I have to go to work. It's ironic because I'm about to go help a friend promote an event that she has been working really hard on. She's right, I'm right, nobody's wrong.
i think you are right.
ReplyDeletethe only way models on the left or right will work is if the leadership and the people are above reproach. unfortunately we are all fallible and neither way is completely right, so we sway on the pendulum as our past, current, and future leaders push and pull us one way or the other.
i think the environment is much the same way- the intentions of business may be to help others make a living, but some allow money to be their god and create places like toxic China or (insert favorite overfarmed, fished, polluted American place here).
environmentalists simply trying to save a species from extinction or protect a habitat may be criticized as they prevent job creation...or do they? why do we spend billions to preserve a toxic method instead of invest more in a way that would be more sustainable? is it right to do something simply because it is cheaper? I think the next trip needs to be in Canada- it was an eye opening experience for me. so much well preserved land.