It's time to face reality. Our attempts to regulate and protect the environment are at least partially based on a false premise. No activity by man can be performed and not have an impact (harm) on our environment. We cannot individually or especially collectively live in this environment and not cause harm. The only way to achieve that is to vacate the premises.
Let's look at an example logically. I have a business that manufactures a product to meet the demands of the market. For those of you who don't know, the market is us. I have no choice but to produce a waste stream to make the product. It doesn't really matter what that waste stream is, it just is. I have three choices; air, water, land. The rules and regulations in essence demand "Thou shall do no harm". Reality tells me my only choice is to do the least harm. The regulations that apply to my business are not applied to the society as a whole. Most of these rules don't apply to household waste even though that waste stream generated 50% of the degradation of the environment when these rules and regulations were promulgated. The only way to fully comply with these regulations is to close the doors. Do I have an obligation to reduce my impact on the environment to the best possible minimum? Of course. Can I achieve perfection? Can you?
Can we demand perfection ("Thou shall do no harm" by rules and regulation? Can we dictate the impossible? Can society achieve perfection simply by demanding it? I think not. If you can accept that any segment of our society is no worse or better than the rest of us, that industry is no more "evil" than the rest of us, maybe its time to revisit this arena and establish realistic and achievable standards based on reality not wishes. And when and if we do, let's make them apply to all of us that "harm" the environment. Note to self: That would include everybody, not just "evil" business and industry.
If we truly want to restore the environment to the "Garden of Eden", we all have to leave the planet. I'm willing if all the rest of you are. Ready to start packing? Peace, Love, and Faith. Pappadave.
Let's look at an example logically. I have a business that manufactures a product to meet the demands of the market. For those of you who don't know, the market is us. I have no choice but to produce a waste stream to make the product. It doesn't really matter what that waste stream is, it just is. I have three choices; air, water, land. The rules and regulations in essence demand "Thou shall do no harm". Reality tells me my only choice is to do the least harm. The regulations that apply to my business are not applied to the society as a whole. Most of these rules don't apply to household waste even though that waste stream generated 50% of the degradation of the environment when these rules and regulations were promulgated. The only way to fully comply with these regulations is to close the doors. Do I have an obligation to reduce my impact on the environment to the best possible minimum? Of course. Can I achieve perfection? Can you?
Can we demand perfection ("Thou shall do no harm" by rules and regulation? Can we dictate the impossible? Can society achieve perfection simply by demanding it? I think not. If you can accept that any segment of our society is no worse or better than the rest of us, that industry is no more "evil" than the rest of us, maybe its time to revisit this arena and establish realistic and achievable standards based on reality not wishes. And when and if we do, let's make them apply to all of us that "harm" the environment. Note to self: That would include everybody, not just "evil" business and industry.
If we truly want to restore the environment to the "Garden of Eden", we all have to leave the planet. I'm willing if all the rest of you are. Ready to start packing? Peace, Love, and Faith. Pappadave.