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Date: 17 January, 2001
People who call American PIE's toll-free Environmental Information Line are
usually not seasoned activists. They've rarely protested in an organized
effort, and they've rarely engaged in any activist work which might cost them
a fine or land them in jail. They are, however, angry and frustrated and are
sometimes themselves the victims of environmental abuse.
Grass-roots anger and passion, says Mark Dowie in "Losing Ground: American
Environmentalism at the Close of the Twentieth Century" (MIT Press, 1995),
are vital to the re-energizing and sustenance of the environmental movement
in this country. Dowie perceives, in his words, "a massive swell of new
environmental passion gathering force. Democratic in origin, populist in
style, untrammeled by bureacracy, and inspired by a host of new ideologies -
the wave should crest sometime early in the twenty-first century."
It will be a great loss if the environmental passion that gives Dowie hope
becomes a cresting wave in the 21st century. The need for such passion will
not likely subside. The interrelated issues of climate change, population
dynamics and food production, air and water purity, chemical contamination,
and biodiversity will persist and dominate our attention until the next
millenium.
In the face of sobering environmental concerns, and associated injustice, how
does someone participate in achieving environmental action? Clearly,
activisim begins by practicing environmentally responsible behaviors at home.
But the ultimate goal of participation is some form of social transformation,
however small the change might be. Working for the environment is sometimes
as simple as speaking directly with a neighbor, speaking up at a meeting,
educating someone about the hazards associated with a particular practice or
product, writing a letter to the editor, or confronting public officials.
Environmentally negative activities or projects that occur in communities
often take place with the deft actions of people - well-tutored professionals
in government and business - who already know the tactics for accomplishing
their goals. For people who want their opposing voices to be heard, who want
to stimulate local action on environmental and conservation issues, American
PIE's staff can provide technical help and instructions for coalition
building; call 1-800-320-APIE(2743).
Act today on this EcoAlert, and thank you for your environmental responsibility.
American P.I.E.
Public Information on the Environment
124 High Street, P.O. Box 340
South Glastonbury, CT 06073-0340
Telephone: 1-800-320-APIE(2743)
E-Mail: Info@AmericanPIE.org
EcoAlert subscribe/unsubscribe at our web site: http://www.AmericanPIE.org
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http://www.AmericanPIE.org
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