British Conservative Makes Interesting Pro-Environmental Argument

Roger Scruton, author of "How To Think Seriously About The Planet", argues in his book that the pursuit of environmentalism has little to do with the environmental movement. He points out that many people who have labeled themselves climatologists "are not in the first rank of scientific minds...they are particularly good at mathematical modeling...computer science...physics,...(or) chemistry."

Scruton thinks that many of the figures in the environmental movement feel that the "world is misgoverned...There's the rejection of your own country, of your own government." He feels that this attitude is what has transferred itself into the resentment displayed by many in the environmental movements.

Scruton, among others, feels that it is important to invest citizens with the knowledge of environmental matters so that individuals and businesses can use their own initiative to address and solve environmental problems, and not rely on governments of non-elected bodies such as the U.N. to solve them. People should not only concentrate on the accumulation of excess waste in manufacturing and energy consumption, but demand more accountability by all aspects of society to stop fouling the air and the water. Perhaps the worldwide economic downturn will contribute to an attitude that "less is more" and began to take some of the sheen off the attitude that consumer demand for the newest gadget will somehow drive us to a higher standard of living.

The same methods of community involvement and activism which was so successful in making serious advances possible for women, Blacks, and other racial and lifestyle minorities should be brought to bear on what possibly might be a long-term battle of grave importance, preserving what is left of the environment and earth's ecosystem.