There are arguments on both sides of the evironmental issues that “good” Mormons can be on either side. DDT may be thought of as bad, but banning it’s use is causing millions of preventable deaths a year due to mosquito borne diseases. DDT is cheap and effective with less side effects than many of it’s replacements. What are those lives worth…blah…blah…blah.

That’s what I say, either side can be argued.

Should we be more careful about the environment, of course.

Should we be radical in our approach, or our tactics…I don’t think so.

I’m for sucking everything I can from the earth and letting my grandchildren take care of any problems that might cause.
don | Email | Homepage | 03.09.05 - 6:51 pm | #

Are you considering sustainability “radical”? If so, that’s the problem. Here we have a way to utilize the earth’s resources in a way that is completely natural, as or more effective in their purposes than the traditional ways, and it’s considered radical. It’s not a matter of what is a less-toxic chemical we can spray on the mosquitos, it’s re-thinking the whole way we harvest crops, re-thinking the way we travel, re-thinking the way we obtain energy, etc.
Rusty | Email | Homepage | 03.09.05 - 7:08 pm | #

Hmmm, you do still have a full time job and school right Russ? I was always curious about how much you complain about having no time, but thanks for explaining to me today where your time goes. Bryce | Email | Homepage | 03.09.05 - 9:10 pm | #

Well, just as I was thinking I was the only Mormon who though green! I live in Texas where the state politics, and yes the LDS members politics have become every bit anti-environment as Utah.
Don | Email | Homepage | 03.09.05 - 9:16 pm | #

Bryce,
Sometimes I have to do something other than those things. This is my way to unwind.

Don,
Wow, another Don in the Bloggernacle! I think you’re going to have to add a letter for your last name or something to distinguish from the Don that writes posts on this blog.
Rusty | Email | Homepage | 03.09.05 - 9:52 pm | #

Don has a point about it being to able to argue both ways. You can look to the EPA’s record and see that half the time, they’re only guessing at what they’re doing and have made a lot of mistakes. Plus, when you get into groups like PETA and such, you really ARE dealing with radicalism.
I used to have a roommate we called a tree hugger for all his ideals. He was sincere, but he was dumb about doing it. Idaho’s been in a drought and so he thought he’d help out by only flushing the toilet when he went #2. This raised a big “stink” in our house! The bad part however, was that he didn’t even KNOW about the trick of putting a brick in the top of the thing! Anyway, human consumption of water in Idaho (as opposed to farm use and such) is less then HALF a PERCENT!
Bret | Email | Homepage | 03.10.05 - 2:26 am | #

Why? And why is our Church culture not adopting these principles that our doctrine seems to embrace?

‘Cuz Nibley is right and all we really care about is cash?

Nice post Rusty. I’m finding myself turning more green all the time too. (Curse you’re logic Brother Nibley!) I’ll add those books you mentioned to my ought-to-buy-and-read list.
Geoff Johnston | Email | Homepage | 03.10.05 - 2:26 am | #

However, I very much agree with you that most Mormons I know do noteven consider environmental issues a problem at all. They have selfish attitudes (like one’s who say they’ll let their grandchildren deal with it! Thanx a LOT, dad!) or have the only worry of profit. I think that’s one of the reasons why cities and buildings in Europe are so much cooler and have lasted longer then here in the states. They consider beauty ALONG WITH profitability and cost-effectiveness, etc.
Bret | Email | Homepage | 03.10.05 - 2:29 am | #

Before we adopt your environmental ways of raising, growing and harvesting things Rusty there are other things to consider.

Let’s not use chemicals to fight wheat blight and reduce our harvests from 80 bushels and acre back down to 30 and see what happens.

Stop digging for gold, silver, minerals and oil. Don’t drive anymore, or at least less.

The chain reaction to some ideas if implemented would be catastropic.

Sure it works on a nice ranch in Wyoming, cattle and a bird refuse, but how does that grow apples in Washington without coddeling moths?

Recycle, buy organic, pay more for things that will make a difference. But in the real world I agree with Nibly. Maybe peace would come to the world if we all just loved each other more!
don | Email | Homepage | 03.10.05 - 2:57 am | #

Amen and Amen!

No one ever seems to consider that while the world may have been full and to spare back in the 1830’s, it may not be today!
Ben S. | Email | Homepage | 03.10.05 - 9:10 am | #

Bret, if the cities in Europe would stop caring about beauty they would instantly go bankrupt due to the lack of tourism we bring them each year…plus, do you remember how much Paris smelled of smoke or old?
But really, I think we sometimes associate environmentalism with liberalism and therefore it becomes evil. Since, we all know all liberals are evil, worring about the environment must be too. I would LOVE to see us, as a people, begin to help in ways more than service projects for Eagle Scout or Youth Conference. We’re so pro-comunity and pro-family as a church we, I think, need to realize the importants of pro-environment and how well it coencides with our basic teachings of togetherness and striving for a Heaven-On-Earth atmoshpere.
So, do we start with throwing our cans in the recycle bin? Or do we throw out the preservatives and live the organic life? I’d hope there is a balance we can all find for ourselves that can one day be the solution we seek. Help us oh brethern of the church…?
Bryce | Email | Homepage | 03.11.05 - 12:38 am | #

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