Session 9 Blog Post for April 7

In the introduction to Mary C. Wood’s, “Nature’s Trust:  Environmental Law for a New Ecological Age,” the author tries to pinpoint the missteps that lead to lackadaisical governmental statutes and a economical system who’s fundamental focus is set forth by a short-term-minded elite. Even with the growing awareness of the public in the 1970’s and the dynamism found in that decades environmental laws, today’s corporate world seeks more than ever to grow at the cost of earth’s natural systems.  In the section, Ecological Bankruptcy, Mary talks about how our perception of environmental degradation has changed as entire systems are starting to collapse instead of the past’s focus on isolated, specific issues.  Despite this, it seems that our laws are not changing to accommodate this holistic world view.  What initial steps need to be taken to insure a positive change in environmental law?

The United States of America is a big place.  Environmental degradation is a big problem.  Our use of the natural world and our inability to commit to lifestyles that impact our world positively are actions that our race has taken that have reasonable causes.  With a proud and young nation like that of the United States, one will find a series of individuals vying for their own prerogative and success.  People thrive on self-indulgence especially within an economical system that gives incentives for selfish behavior and power mongering.  We can take problems, however, and find solutions.  We do this fairly well, in fact.  However, we experience a mental block when we must confront larger issues that require holistic understandings such as that of our environmental predicament.  Humans respond to specific tangible issues that effect themselves.  When you talk about issues that impact future generations, the collective eyes of the world start to glaze over.  However, humans have an inherent adaptability, like any other animal, that enables them to confront even complex issues like climate change.  Firstly, humans need to remember the ideas that formed the foundation for this nation.  Despite the overarching theme of Democracy, our nation is molded by people who are meant to collaborate and to be as one.  This collaboration has never been forced.  It is the right and choice of the people to work together.  Collective action is the ONLY option we have in changing environmental law to be more productive.  And the first step of this change is realizing our special and powerful influence as citizens.