Conserving Nature

Finding balance between technology and environmental conservation has been a serious subject of debate for decades. There are many different views on this subject ranging from extreme “tree hugger” stance to the “greedy capitalist agenda” trying to destroy the environment for personal gain. Both sides claim that the other is the catalyst behind the environmental problems facing society today, and believe that their stance can help society find the equilibrium it is searching for. Peter Huber, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute’s Center for Legal Policy, claims that technology has been and still is the single greatest factor in the conservation of nature since the 1920’s. In this article, Huber is trying to persuade the general American populous to disregard all of the environmentalist propaganda that is in the mainstream media and trust in technology by using, disparaging remarks about his opponents, irony, and presenting interesting paradoxes.

Throughout the course of his argument, Huber points out the ironic nature of environmentalists efforts to save the environment. This furthers his cause to give environmentalists a poor image, and consequently it makes his opinion look even stronger. Huber states, “Wood preservatives and termite eradication have done far more to save forests in America then, say, the recycling of newspapers […]” One usually associates pesticides and chemical preservatives with a negative image, but ironically it is due to these technologies that forests have been saved from being harvested. The underlying attack of this statement is a pin prick right through the heart of environmentalists, who are generally associated with recycling campaigns and saving the forest. Huber shows his audience that while recycling helps reduce the demand on trees, it is relatively insignificant in comparison with preservatives and termite pesticide. He establishes the necessity of technology to maintain a thriving society that can function correctly in meeting the diverse needs of its people. By refuting the methods used by the opposition, Huber makes them look like children who think they know what is best but who ultimately come up short.

In addition to irony, Huber uses more direct attack methods to disparage the image of the “green establishment” and environmentalists. One strategy that Huber uses is to put his opponents in an extremely difficult position to defend and sets them up as the “bad guys”. Huber says, “The wilderness was saved by the technologies and fuels that the modern green establishment is doing its utmost to tax, curtail, and ultimately abolish […]” The connotation of abolition is very strong and often can be related to famous incidences in history, for example the abolition of slavery. In this sense, Huber makes it seem like the environmentalists believe that saving the environment is a bad thing, like slavery, and should be stopped at all costs. Furthermore, Huber paints the environmentalists’ picture as a group of liars and oppressors with incorrect ideas, who if believed will cause the eventual destruction of the environment.

Thesis for Issues Paper

The United States government should take further action against anarchist groups fighting for the environment such as the A.L.F. and EarthFirst!.