of environmentalism. Sure there are loonies out there, but that's the case for just about any cause. However, mainstream environmentalism is not about what is good for nature, it's what's good for people.
I don't garden organically because I worry about what is good for my tomato plants, I do it because I don't want to ingest chemical fertilizers and pesticides. I don't look for lumber that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because I have any particular fondness for trees (though I do find them aesthetically pleasing in a landscape), but because of their importance in the ecosystem from which they were removed, as well as the world ecosystem, and ultimately my health. I don't support the cradle-to-cradle design philosophy for any reason besides the fact that if we reduce our impact on the world, we'll all be healthier for it.
It's not about nature whether nature cares about us or likes us, it's simply about us. Since we're the ones that made a mess of things, it stands to reason that we're the ones who should clean it up, not for natures sake, but our own. |
