the extremists

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

I agree completely with the colossal and utter futility of some of the
conservation measures we have in place; in the face of never-ending human
population expansion.  Not to mention the utter uselessness of harassing
some people for killing some insects for scientific and recreational
purposes.  Turning everyone on the planet into a convicted felon and
vilifying some people on web sites will do nothing to save butterflies so
long as we continue to destroy and change their habitats. Still, I commend
those among us who do engage in efforts to maintain butterfly habitats.
Glad I live in an era and place where I still have ample biodiversity to
enjoy; sad that I did not live fifty years earlier in a time before the
intolerant extremists started harassing lepidopterists bearing nets :-)
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Stanley A. Gorodenski [mailto:stanlep at extremezone.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2001 7:08 PM
To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: Re: the extremists
 
 
David Webster wrote:
>
>         Exactly. And animals, in conditions suitable for development and
> reproduction, are adapted to withstand all but massive and sustained
> increases in predation.
> But for many organisms those suitable conditions, in portions of their
> range, are becoming sparse and fragmented. This happens partly because
> the bulldozer approach is the easiest way and partly because "We grieve
> only for what we know." and most people are blissfully unaware of the
> treasures at their feet.
>         Any activity which gives people an opportunity to interact
directly
> with the natural world, including collecting insects, should be
> encouraged. Laws which forbid collecting, in my opinion, belong in the
> circular file.
 
I feel the only long range solution to habitat preservation is
controlling, and even reducing, our own population.  It makes little
sense, to me, to be passing and enforcing regulations (concerning
collecting, etc.), and setting aside small conservation areas and
reserves, when in the long run they will be for nothing if the human
species continues to swamp the earth.  I would think conservationists,
if they are serioius about their cause, would also be activily promoting
population control, but I do not see this happening to any significant
degree.
 
Stan
 
 
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