The World / Letters To The Editor

Opposition based on facts not fears

http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/01/09/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letter02010907.txt

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:52 PM PST

      In his letter (The World, Dec. 9) chastising Holly Stamper and others who oppose the liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for the North Spit, Jim Mann said that arguments against the terminal are based on emotions and fear. He presumed Holly does not understand government or science and presented a little lecture on these subjects. He said the LNG terminal represents the kind of economic growth that will save our community.

       Mr. Mann is wrong. His version of economics is the neoclassical view that has driven the industrial age for the past several hundred years and is now over. We are entering the post-industrial age; science now shows us that growth for growth's sake and monetary profit alone are, in fact, what is going to kill us. Given that the biosphere of planet Earth is made up of numerous and complex ecosystems that make life possible by such processes as climate regulation, water recycling, water purification, oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, organic waste recycling, pollination, protection from solar and cosmic radiation, etc., we need to learn how to live within the limits that these systems can support. All natural functions, such as photosynthesis, developed without human help. They are not dependent on us, we are dependent on them. Natural science and the relatively new field of ecological economics show that the old belief in infinite economic growth is out of touch with reality. To ignore laws of biology and thermodynamic physics is as stupid as sawing off the tree branch on which one stands. Constant, unregulated growth is indeed the ideology of the cancer cell, which consumes its host.

       I cannot help but see a parallel between a pimp who sells the body of a human for profit and the economic growth promoters who campaign to sell off the body of the earth. As opposed to this kind of growth, there is such a thing as wise, sustainable, development. I support local efforts to begin wave-energy projects off Reedsport and Bandon. I oppose the LNG terminal. The damage caused by more hydrocarbon fuel in our atmosphere and the earth-destroying connecting pipeline far outweigh any economic benefit. These are facts, not fear-based emotions. And, how about we give a little consideration to the kind of world we are going to leave behind for our grandchildren?

My respect and gratitude go to Harry and Holly Stamper, Jody McCaffree, and all others who are trying to stop this insanity.

Bonnie Joyce

Myrtle Point