Environment Without Government Is Unsustainable

Tweet

Tuesday's Janesville Gazette carried a surprising endorsement for Earth Day activities individuals could carry out during their lives to help create a sustainable and living planet. The editorial title, We cannot wait for government to save environment was somewhat misleading as it gave the impression the newspaper editors believe the government wasn't doing enough to protect the environment. To the contrary, after reading the first few lines of the editorial, it appears the newspaper would favor letting economic development, sprawl, venture capitalists and consumers self-regulate to protect the environment rather then work in tandem with the government to create and enforce regulatory policy.

JG Excerpt:
But we shouldn’t wait for government to force us to do the right thing. After all, state law requires businesses to recycle, but do you see recycling bins adjacent to trash containers at gas stations? Likewise, the debate continues on whether ethanol subsidies are wise.

We’ll also argue long about whether Barack Obama’s proposed “cap and trade” plan will fight global warming enough to warrant soaring energy prices.

To their credit, the paper followed that politically inspired opening by posting ten smart ideas to help celebrate Earth Day everyday, most coming from Julie Backenkeller of the Rock Environmental Network. But absent from the list was arguably the most important activity we can do to help save ourselves.

So I propose Earth Day idea number eleven.

11. As often as possible, call, write a letter, send an email, or attend a meeting with your local city council, congressional representative, senator or state legislator and ask them what bills, regulations and resolutions they intend to sponsor that can help develop and build support for a sustainable economy and defend the environment. And tell them what you believe will help our nation and neighborhoods transition to a sustainable society. Our environment is a living organism that is not too big to fail, we can't let it go bankrupt and a bailout is useless. Once it's dead - it's gone. Time is of the essence.

'The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around." -- Earth Day founder and former Wisconsin Governor and Senator Gaylord Nelson