Everyone knows that due to basic practices of the world’s population, we have done some very bad things to our environment. Realizing this, some time ago countries got together and agreed that something must be done to change the ways we live – or live to regret it. Each country began to implement changes.
In the United States, various state and local committees, together with governmental agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, started the changes by analyzing industrial pollutants. It was decided that nuclear power was the way to cut pollution. This decision resulted in the building of various nuclear plants in the United States and other countries.
What was the result of this choice?
The accident at the nuclear plant in Chernoble is still an environmental catastrophe. Then there was Three Mile Island and its nuclear disaster. Then we began to realize that the nuclear fuel debris that will never disintegrate presents a horrible dilemma over what to do with the waste. Today we are still looking for an underground place in the Southwest to bury it. The Hanford site on the edge of the Columbia River remains a potential disaster not only because we don’t know how to clean it up, but also the potential danger of total pollution of the Columbia and the danger to everyone along the river’s banks in Oregon and Washington. There are also a number of abandoned nuclear plants that cost a great deal to maintain, and yet have no working function.
Other ideas for change began when saving the spotted owl became a crusade, disrupting the forest industry and cities that depended on it.
Then we decided to limit human access into our forests so that we would not damage their ecosystems. We also initiated fire suppression plans that left lots of forest debris on the ground. Within a few years, this resulted in the greatest number of forest fires we have ever known.
Also, to prevent our streams from being polluted we restricted “debris” in streams, and disturbed fish spawning areas. Further complicating the problem, we tried to save our seals and sea lions, which resulted in more seals and sea lions eating the salmon. The increased seal population also began damaging docks, boats, etc., looking for food.
Then, to “help” other animal populations – whales, polar bears, sea lions, etc. – we began to attempt to change the entire ocean population – despite the fact that Mother Nature has forever regulated its animal population.
So, a plea: In protecting our environment, we should look at all of the results of our potential actions before we implement them. In truth, we need to make some better choices!
Paul Minneman lives in Everett.
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