Farley Mowat

We cannot continue to say, "I am unconvinced."

The pollution of this planet is far-reaching. Much of it came about by ignorance, and our forefathers failure to grasp the fragility of our ecosystems. This ignorance of our forefathers is excusable to a great degree, but no longer.

Today we have no excuse for our continuing degradation. We cannot continue to say "I am unconvinced." In this day, we have many scientists telling us that we must turn aside, if not turn back. The ecosystems simply cannot survive the onslaught. We have the warnings - we have the knowledge. Are we unwilling?

I came across a book at the library by Farley Mowat. The first page of the introduction literally brought tears to my eyes. This book, called Rescue The Earth was not in the regular section where I usually find literature on the environment. This one was indexed under Nature Conservation.

What Mr. Mowat said in the introduction of his 1990 work, was so profound that I must quote it word for word. I could never hope to say anything more penetrating. From it you will see why he is a Canadian treasure - controversial perhaps, but still a treasure.

Quote - "The last three decades of this century have witnessed the ignition of the most significant internal conflict ever to engage the human species. It is not the struggle between capitalism and communism or between any other set of 'isms'. It is not a contest between affluent societies and impoverished ones. It is not the conflict between the warmongers and the peaceniks."

"It is the conflict between those who possess the means, and will, to exploit the living world to destruction, and those who are banding together in a desperate and last-ditch attempt to prevent the New Juggernaut from trashing our small planet."

"If the right side wins, this combat may become known as the Crusade that Rescued the Earth. If the wrong side wins - there will be no future generations."

"The struggle is an unequal one. The Big Battalions belong to, and are commanded by, some of the most powerful individuals and cabals (conspiracies) history ever has recorded. Their battle cry is 'Progress!' Their arsenals are supplied by Commerce and Industry. Their most fearsome weapon is Technology. Science is their supportive priesthood. Politics is their handmaiden."

"They are now effectively masters of our species. They believe they can and will become masters of the planet, if not the universe. They purport to believe their dominance is benign. 'What is good for General Motors is good for the world' is a thesis to which they give vigorous support."

"Since it is so dominant, and since it also controls most of the means of communication, this master class is all too well known to us. However we know all too little about the forces that oppose it." - End Quote

The forces that oppose "it" is the subject of this book - it is a collection of interviews with Canadian individuals who have dedicated their lives to the saving of the planet. These individuals all share Farley's passion for wildlife and wildlife sanctuary. David Suzuki and Elizabeth May are the most recognizable names.

Mr. Mowat (1921-) is a well known Canadian author - perhaps the most frequently read author in Canada with at least 26 published novels.

He is also a dedicated naturalist, having started when he was a teenager with a regular column on his observations of birds.

The plight of the Inuit, whales, wolves, and other wildlife are dear to his heart. His writings on the subject of conservation have annoyed Corporate interests and the US government. He was barred from entering the US for a speaking tour in 1985. He is disputed and hotly debated even in his own country.

There are many other individuals who try to get their message across to the public, to influence government policy, and who try to embarrass offending corporations. Their methods run the full gambit of extremes. Paul Watson of BC is at the one end of the extremes. He takes his ship, the Sea Shepherd, into the Pacific and rams whaling ships in the attempt to sink them. Prince Philip of Briton is at the other end with his role as patron of a wildlife organization. The Green Parties are trying to encourage a change to Proportional Representative government among other things.

As for me - I have found a thousand causes to report on.

Have a nice day.