What’s good for nature is good for people!

Those of us who speak, write, teach, lobby and otherwise communicate on behalf of a healthy natural environment should add to and broaden our messages. We do a fine job extolling the aesthetic values of wilderness, wild animals, and healthy nature. Many among our society are, like us, moved by these messages but many others need to hear more. They need to hear and believe that there are tangible, concrete “benefits in it for the people?” This need is particularly acute when “times are tough” and “tough choices “ need to be made regarding the allocation of scarce resources.

Those of us singing in the choir already know what’s in it for people. We understand the absolute interconnectivity between healthy natural environments and benefits for people. We know there are huge economic benefits, health benefits, and security benefits derived from improved and protected natural environments.  We understand how property values go up when healthy natural areas are accessible. We know the billions of dollars nature provides through “free” bio-remediation. We understand the enormous costs of allowing biodiversity to degrade.

So let’s all include the benefits to people in every piece of communication about healthy natural areas, protected wilderness, protected species, restored bio-diversity. Let’s do so in clear assertive language. It is a message that requires repetition due to the divisiveness trumpeted by those who seek to divert resources away from environmental improvement and focus on extraction. Investing in the natural environment is not a matter of us versus the animals and plants. We are nature and whatever is good for nature is good for humankind.

Carl Axelsen, ONDA Member
Portland