Stand Up For The Future

by Vicki Oldham

Why is it that people and politicians find comfort in ignorance? Is knowledge too painful? Does it imply personal responsibility? Is ignorance truly bliss? The warning signs of environmental and societal decline are hard to ignore. Yet, both locally and globally, many conduct business as usual with no thought of the children who will inherit this mess, or of the generations to follow. Our fouled nest is an insult to the future. Have we no respect? Is life a commodity to be spent, and often wasted?

Already it's too late for many species for which extinction is a reality. Animals, plants, air, water, soilÑthe entire web of life is fragmented and declining. The way we use and value our resources needs to be reevaluated. To get ourselves out of this downward spiral we need immediate change, which means making some sacrifices and organizing to work for a sustainable future.

In this issue, we look at the struggle to keep our forests alive, a proposal to help restore native wildlife to the Russian River, a local compost facility's history of permit violations, the county's Grading Ordinance Committee, a youth theater troupe that is acting out environmental and social solutions, the attempt to hold the FBI accountable for actions against environmentalists, globalization's effect on the planet, a feasible alternative to fossil fuels, and more.

Joining the MEC is one way to stand up to those who would leave nothing for future generations. As our membership increases, our collective voice becomes louder and we all become more powerful. If the movement doesn't grow, we are nothing more than voices crying in as well as for the wilderness.

We are actively seeking new members. If you've already joined, please reach out to concerned people, find out if they are MEC members, and if not, ask them to join with us. Renew or add on to your membership. Together we can stand up for the future.

Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2001
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited


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Last Update: 8/1/01