The Economy v. Ecology

This morning I read a story in the news about a man which I will politely refer to as "Mr. Economist." (I refuse to give him a free plug by mentioning him in my blog) who says that the Green Movement - the whole "Global Warming" impact is a farce. Of course, he would know all about this... after all, his degree is in economics. Who better to determine the fate of our planet than an economist? Um... no folks, that is not a typo, economist, not ecologist.

Economy - Ecology. You say tomato, I say tomoto.

Here is the situation: The industrial revolution made the economy boom and the ecology loom. But now, these "expert" economists are saying that a booming ecology is the cause of the looming economy. They claim that going green will cripple nations financially. They claim that it is impossible to address ecologic concerns and maintain economic stability at the same time.

Er, I guess my lack of a college education prevents me from understanding the important role economics play on a humanless planet.

So I may not have a degree, but I do have some common sense to work with. And common sense tells me that earth has oil in her veins for a reason. Perhaps a lubrication for the mantles? Perhaps a cooling mechanism for the core? Who knows... it could be the very thing that keeps this planet alive, like its own blood supply - and yet, we drain it for our own selfish consumption without question. It is called a non-renewable resource for a very good reason. When it is gone - it is gone. What is the price of depleting it entirely Mr. Economist?

Water is the basis by which all life on this planet exists, and yet we treat it as if it is inconsequential. We dump all our chemicals and sewage into it as if it is a giant toilet. No thought for the life it sustains - including our own. We think we face economic problems due to a lack of oil? Just wait until the water runs dry. What will that cost us Mr. Economist?

Trees - our saviors. They absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen for us to breathe. They provide shade, food and shelter to creatures great and small. Yet we continue to savagely slice them to pieces at a record pace to use as paper for your printed reports, toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, newspapers, packaging.... That beautiful tree that provided an amazing balance to the planet and unselfishly sustained our lives through its purpose, has been eradicated... for what? To wipe our asses comfortably? When all the trees are gone, what will that cost us Mr. Economist?

It seems to me that Mr. Economist is way overthinking this issue. It is simple really... and he can't seem to see the forest through the trees.

A sustainable economy is only possible in a sustainable ecology.

The truth is that we cannot afford NOT to go green.



C. Loya