Remembering the Three Rs

(Originally written July 29, 2007)

Mr. Robinson, I’ve excitedly anticipated your July 26 continuation of our global warming discussion (“Global Warming Not A Threat To Shore – Terrorists Are”).

I agree that Al Gore is a life-long politician. But if I believed that politicians selfishly based every decision on political advancement instead of scientific evidence or moral basis, I’d have an overly cynical view of both our system and people in general. I can be cynical, but I have limits. Al Gore is no more the end-all-be-all of global warming theory than is Richard Lindzen. Instead of volleying expert’s opinions which both support and oppose global warming theories, I’ll concede that global warming influences remain debatable and explore a tangential issue from my last submission.

The alluded-to feces emanate from Wreck Pond. They’ve closed beaches over the past few years and have prompted the extension of the recently-completed outfall pipe. Although the convenient fecal culprits are geese, water quality tests have shown that human waste constituted as much as 85% of the bacteria. The tampon I referred to was identified by my wife as a Tampax Pearl and the beach was Trenton Blvd. in Sea Girt. I agree; conditions are better than those referenced in Billy Joel’s lament, “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” But even if we didn’t start the fire, should we be moved to grab skewers and marshmallows?

The point is that a natural environment stands no chance in our cultural environment. I’m not placing guilt for Americans’ inherited lifestyle. I’m not criticizing or discounting anyone’s admirable, Johnny Appleseed-esque resume. Rather, I’m trying to raise awareness of our profound influence on the environment that sustains us; the one that’s routinely subservient to culture. I’m trying to rekindle an oft-ignored “R”: responsibility.

Readers: Please speak up (terraceadvocate@gmail.com) if the following emotions elicit any sympathies, empathies, or apathies.

I’m disgusted when cigarette butts are thrown from car windows. I’m tired of finding A.B.C. gum while making sandcastles with my niece. I’m confused when environmentalists can support drilling in a wildlife refuge. I’m repulsed by Freehold’s pillaging of open spaces in favor of bland, energy-sucking, unsold monstrosities. I’m appalled when sprinklers run during downpours. I’m flabbergasted by my town’s plan to “encourage the development of continuous wildlife corridors” by converting every inch of acreage on RT. 34 into office complexes. I don’t know where “reduce” went.

We consistently allow ourselves to rationalize environmental responsibility. It’s ok to occasionally throw bottles in the trash because we recycle most of the time; it’s reasonable to remove trees if they inhibit power lines; it’s legitimate to eliminate “unproductive” acreage because real estate generates money. We fear global warming theory because it’s incorrectly implied that we scrap our culture and resume rubbing sticks on stone. Like environmental responsibility, the opposition will always defend itself with a human caveat: we will defend nature as long as it stays out of our way, serves our needs, and keeps its mouth shut when we need to punish it.

I warned you about my cynicism.