Environmental movement--for-profit or nonprofit?

Obviously, I had a hard time formulating a response to this past week’s readings.   I find it difficult to understand the perspective of those against environmental protection and/or conservation.  Usually I try to get a feel for what an opposing view is, and understand the logic behind it.  In this case, it seems to me sheer ignorance and D E N I A L. Honestly, there are people in my extended family who deny climate change entirely, claiming it is a government funded conspiracy to get everyone freaked out, etc. This is a grown man we are talking about, and there are way too many people out there like-minded to him—at least in my opinion.  Alright, there’s my rant, now you all know how I feel.  Let’s get to the readings.

            I first read the McKenzie Watershed Council’s 2007-2008 Annual Report.  I was truly impressed by the amount of work they do and the number of supporters they have backing them up.  With five projects currently working to maintain and enhance our water flow areas, and seventeen different groups of members it appears to be a really successful operation.  Being and Oregonian, I wonder how other states’ watershed systems work, and what do they take away from ours as a model?

           

            Next I read the article about saving the environment for a profit.  I firmly believe that preserving the environment and our resources should be carried out regardless of a profit.  Whether it is through nonprofit means, or for profit ones, I see it all being fairly win-win; especially in the case of Costa Rica mentioned in the article.  This was a great example of profit motivating people to engage in behaviors that they should already be doing. But when there is a buck to be made for cutting down those trees, etc. then they are going to be far more inclined to do what is needed to feed their families. 


I found an article that reflects similar actions being taken in Ecuador:
$3.6 million for NOT drilling

Here is a little something on motivation and behavior change theories in psychology:

motivation and behavioral changes

Lastly, are the Guide to Environmental Non-Profits and the speech given by Paul Hawkin.  I found the guide to be helpful in that it clarified a lot of confusion about organizations I knew very little about.  It was quite informative and I will be much more likely to do some research on these when it comes to supporting them through my spending. 

I loved the speech! It was so uplifting after so much confusion on the topic; I was relieved that it was the final reading of the sequence. It just happened to fall in that order for me.  I thought he made some excellent points, one of my favorites was: “We have an economy that tells us that it is cheaper to destroy earth in real time than to renew restore and sustain it. You can print money to bail out a bank but you can’t print life to bail out a planet” (3). His statement shows how obvious this issue is and yet how so many can be avoiding it simultaneously. This entire speech was both touching and inspiring.  


One last thing, if you have 30 minutes to watch a show:
Vanguard: A World Without Water

This is a documentary that looks at three places that are drying out, and what they can tell us about our future if we do not make some changes.