Transnational Magic / Environmental Illusion
Cause for Wonder and Concern
In the late 1980's human impact on the planet was concern
#1. Today environmental laws are being watered down and eliminated to accommodate
a global free-trading plan for perpetual growth.
What happened ???
The emerging environmental value ran into the Growth Ethic.
The prime value of a society plays a key role in its destiny - comparable
to the role of DNA in the development of an individual organism. After the
Second World War, following a long, slow ascendancy, economic expansion
became our prime value. Expanding the amount of money changing hands is
now seen as the ultimate good, that which makes all else possible.
Environmental accommodation seemed like a good idea, especially while
it was receiving official support as it did at the end of the 1980's. However,
while recycling opened up new business opportunities, reduction and reuse
did not. Recycling took off like a rocket. Reduction and Reuse could not
be monitored, but the economy stagnated. Reducing the consumption of new
goods puts the environmental ethic clearly at odds with the prime value
of economic expansion.
There is a tremendous loyalty to prime values. In essence, they define
what is good. With few exceptions, people want to be good. For want of a
public review, the prime value of growth remains unchallenged as society's
purpose. People feel uneasy acting at odds with economic expansion. Coupled
with financial arm twisting by those whose fortunes grow in direct proportion
to the economy, the back-to-business agenda has overwhelmed concerns for
conservation and equity.
A public review of prime values would reveal much. Your cooperation
can help initiate such a review.
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Last Update: March 9, 1999
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