To The Editor:
I would like to point out the reality that all ecosystems effect each other around the Globe. While San Juan County can only be responsible for the areas within this county, it is not unreasonable to demand we do everything we can to mitigate damages to our local ecosystem. The Sky may not be falling, but while credible scientists predict that the surface of the earth may not be habitable to humans within 100 years, I think it definitely behooves us to look at the macrocosm and take seriously the survival of the human species by doing everything we can locally to preserve our natural environmental systems.
While having mandated rules forced upon citizens is no where near the best form of cooperative society, many people do not seem conscious enough to take it upon themselves to not pollute their neighbor’s drinking water and all life around them.
I think real education for All would solve the problem, if Everyone was able to see the path humanity is heading, toward our ultimate death as a species, we would know to be responsible enough not to pollute wetlands for any reason or purpose. Humanity has simply not come to that level of understanding yet, it seems, not even in the Islands.
I call upon everyone to open their minds to move beyond property lines and take care of the whole spectrum of life in this county and on this entire planet.
There are people who have the ability to understand what is best for the whole and are in rapport with, and can vocalize the pain of the disappearance of species and healthy ecosystems. Others have not moved their compassion or their caring beyond their own physical selves and their personal property.
The people yelling “the sky is falling” can FEEL that the Earth’s whole biosphere is indeed dying. They actually FEEL the pain of the bats and the birds and the trees.
Ask yourself, “Can I FEEL the Pain of the Trees and the Animals? The other human beings who live with me?” And if you can’t, ask yourself, “Should I be making these decisions for the people who can?” Humanity can no longer afford to be selfish. We are living in one of the last “relatively” unspoiled places on the planet. Let us not spoil it now!
Domenic Verbano
Eastsound
Domenic,
I am one of those that FEELS the pain of the Trees an Animals as well as the other human beings that live with me. I am depressed with the state of things on planet Earth. I shed tears when ecosystems are compromised by the insensitivity of progress and greed…
But I do not accept that somehow the well rounded and exceptionally educated demographic of residents here are responsible for the issues causing that pain. They are not destroying the wetlands and they are not poisoning the whales. We are the people who can set an example, but we are not the people who should be made an example of. We feel that pain, but it is not our fault.
Forcing landowners to give up their heritage and land so a misguided lobbying group can take their last stand against problems created elsewhere is not going to fix a single thing. Any attempts to sell this idea as making an impact has no evidence. If that were truly the issue then the “Friends” would be using their warchest to pay teenage kids to pick up plastic off of the beaches, treating roadside runoff to remove pollutants, or seeking to unify property owners and residents through education and reasonable restrictions.
Domenic–thank you for your heartfelt message, and have two things to say in response. First, I agree that education is the principal answer to addressing the problems of the environment. Educating residents about what products are harmful, about how to maintain their septic systems, about how to contribute. What I see instead is a lot of resources devoted to controlling people and the attitude that people cannot be trusted. I see our local government saying it wants to impose very burdensome and expensive rules without telling us why. Where’s the problem? is not a selfish question from property owners. It’s a sincere attempt to understand. If you show me something here on the islands that is damaging the environment, I’ll be very interested in addressing the problem. Removing derelict vessels and fishing nets. Even a moratorium on fishing to let stocks recover. But if you can’t provide the reason for a new restriction, I won’t be inclined to force my neighbors to comply.
Domenic– Second, the depression and frustration you feel is widespread and, I assure you, is felt by “property owners” and non0owners alike. Sure, we can take small steps here–like reducing use of harmful substances, such as pesticides and plastics–most folks I know are more than willing to do that–those that haven’t been irreparably alienated by the groups who have anointed themselves the dictators of our actions. But consider the people who have bought land here and plan to build a home. What is wrong with that? Are you saying they should not build? Should we remove all signs of human presence here? Where do you draw the line? You have undoubtedly heard that we are seeking to protect critical areas. What you may not have heard is that we already have longstanding rules that work just fine. We want to know what’s wrong with them. Show us a specific problem, show us an effective answer, and we’ll sign on, happily. But we cannot continue the divisive sound-bite war. and