I’m a closet environmentalist. I love “green” technologies. It makes me feel good when I do my bit to make the world a healthier, cleaner place. It’s one (but not the only) reason I have a sailboat and not a powerboat.
The reason I am a closet environmentalist is because I am embarrassed to be associated with the “activists” who claim to represent my environmentalist nature. In much the same way conscientious Americans proudly claimed that the government wasn’t acting in their interest when they invaded Iraq, I don’t feel that what amounts to ecoterrorism is indicative of my desire to protect the environment. Extremism, like fundamentalism, scares the hell out of me.
Extremism takes root in all forms of protest. The civil rights movements of the 1960’s were plagued with groups like the Black Panthers, which were prepared to use any means, including violence, to achieve their ends. Likewise the feminist movement is now being driven by extreme elements, diluting the message of equality and pushing an agenda many feminists do not support.
Environmental “activists” that are willing to to use violence to achieve a greener world are driving the environmental movement. I cannot support that. It is counter my belief that there is a peaceful way.
It is my belief that environmentally responsible change can be achieved by making it both easier and more cost effective to be green. North Americans don’t care about Global Warming. Hell, I live in Canada, our winters could definitely benefit from a few degrees of warmth. But we care about our money. And our time. Make it convenient for people to be environmentally responsible. Make it cheaper. And above all else, you HAVE to make it cooler.
Hit us in the wallet. It’s the only way we listen.
How’s that for extreme?
Extremismus – in jeglicher Form – tut nichts weiter, als dieser Welt Schaden zuzufügen.
sanity dies where belief starts.
All kinds of extremism just do harm our world.