Protecting the environment through capitalism

Mineral, lumber or plastic. It’s all about use and handling of materials found in nature.

Water is often stored or relocated for convenience and practical use such as in irrigation, dams, wells, bottling etc. Tapping into underground aquifers is an indication that human demands for water exceed the traditional supply of surface and ground water. It does not mean we are using up or destroying water. Water can neither be created nor destroyed. It is only being “used” in one form or another. A more complex use is for plants and animals consuming it to eventually become food product, which upon digestion reverts back to the original form of liquid waste plus carbon dioxide (conducive to plant growth, not global warming).

The current opposition to plastics now conflicts with the environmental resistance to the mining industry and use of minerals. Unfortunately this leads to a choice between plastic, mineral, wood and their respective industries.Humans depend upon manufactured products such as housing, vehicles, clothing, heating and air conditioning, etc. We cannot continue our standard of living without manufactured goods unless we revert to living as cavemen. Nor can we solve environmental problems by simply killing industries:logging, timber and lumber as well as mining, manufacturing, transportation and marketing. We can, however, identify and address problems related to operation of these industries, one of which is the handling of waste. How do we rationalize waste management simply by removing it and transferring it to another site? Where does that waste go when removed through a mandated “clean-up” operation? Does anyone ever ask? Certainly, I hope, not dumped in the ocean nor is it sent off into outer space. At one time nuclear waste was encased in concrete and dumped in the ocean.Where now? City dumps; surface crevasses such as canyons and gullies? Water is everywhere either above or below the surface. Logically it becomes the ultimate conduit for waste disposal.

Wood or coal, whether from domestic or industrial burning, produces needed energy and heat.Resulting non-carbon, non-combustible ash contains chemicals and minerals essential to life. An entire industry based on retrieving, processing, and distributing this material would help restore productivity of the earth through making available natural fertilizers for plant and animal growth. This could constitute a self-supporting, economically feasible salvage industry. We must give more thought to solving operational and procedural problems in an economically feasible manner rather than simply closing down and eliminating the industries which could be self-supporting while contributing to the well-being of the environment. Governmental policies must reflect the importance of economics and profit motivation unique to the free enterprise system. Extreme regulation and curtailment of industry destroys productive economics to the detriment of the environment. Policies should be helping to develop greater personal and industrial accountability in solving operational problems rather than solving by destroying business and industry. Increasing government control with elimination of the free enterprise system can only lead to socialism and communism; loss of freedom and creation of poverty. The earth, environment and people all suffer in poverty stricken countries.

— Clarice Ryan lives in Bigfork