Confessions of a Former Tree-Hugger

The College Conservative ^ | March 12, 2012 | Amy Lutz

[amylutz4]

When I was younger, I loved to read. At one point, I basically devoured a book a day. By the time I was 8 years old, I was flipping through To Kill a Mockingbird. However, despite the plethora of novels I had at my fingertips, I still liked to read “the classics;” books by Shel Silverstein, Carolyn Keene, and Dr. Seuss.

For years, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss was at the top of my list of favorite books. The story tells the tale of the “Lorax,” a whimsical, environmentally-conscious creature who speaks out about how increasing industrialization has led to the destruction of nature. The book starts in a futuristic, treeless world where an industrious character known as the “Once-Ler” ruthlessly targeted “Truffula” trees in the pursuit of profit. By the time his mission was accomplished, the landscape of “Thneedville” was bare.

When I was young, I sorrowfully read the tale often, mourning over the destruction of nature while scoffing at the actions of “profit-hungry” capitalists like the “Once-Ler.” Every time I noticed a sawed-off tree stump, I looked around hoping The Lorax would appear to criticize the selfish person who had the audacity to chop down the poor, innocent tree. Once, I even tried to plant an acorn in my backyard after my father got rid of a dead tree in our yard. In 6th grade, I took a personality test in my history class and was the only one to receive a high score in the “#11” category. When I raised my hand and asked my teacher what that meant, he looked me straight in the eye and said, “Amy, you’re a tree-hugger.”

Now that I’m older, I know better. Though I love nature and find it impossible to stay inside during the springtime, I’m not longer what most would call a “tree-hugger.” I believe that we have the right to protect nature and preserve its beauty, but I also believe in the value of capitalism. Think about it. Where else in the world do environmental movements have such freedom to flourish? It is our classically liberal system itself that supports the plurality of environmental perspectives. I’ve seen and read enough in the years since I escaped my hippie-tendencies to value the free market and entrepreneurship. In short, I’ve grown up.

The environmentalism movement rests on the bleeding heart love of nature that I once espoused. Let me be clear, a love of nature is not inherently evil. In fact, it’s admirable to love something so beautiful, complex, and pure. However, when that affection crowds out rationality and reality by allowing the propaganda of the “Green Movement” to guide your decisions politically and economically, it is nothing but destructive.

Perhaps no better example of this exists than the recent movie version of The Lorax. The 1971 book straddled the fine line between stewardship and radical environmentalism to be sure. Yet, now that the Dr. Seuss classic has hit the big screen, the latter ideology has triumphed. The movie version of The Lorax has been described as “highly environmentalist” and implies that capitalism and free enterprise are inherently evil. Start a business and you’re immediately heading down the inevitable path of universal environmental destruction. This film is simply indicative of the growing influence of radical environmentalism in our nation. Many of the environmentalists today are a far-cry from the tree-hugger I was at 8 years old. Underneath the opposition to capitalism and entrepreneurship is a fundamental disrespect for humanity and life itself. The environmental movement perpetually places nature over people. In California, farmers have difficulty gaining additional irrigation because many environmentalists are concerned that an increase in water usage will affect the habitat of the 2-3 inch Delta Smelt. For crying out loud, we’re halting business for a tiny fish?

Isn’t it odd that many of the liberal environmentalists are the same people crying “Out of my uterus!” when it comes to abortion. Sure, they’ll invasively go out of their way to protect a fish, but when it comes to protecting life in the womb, all we hear is “it’s only tissue.” You know what? The Delta Smelt is “only tissue” too, and a soul-less tissue with a one-year life span at that. Environmentalists will cry foul every time someone “infringes” on the rights of something as small as a fish, but when it comes to the millions of children murdered yearly through abortion, they turn a blind eye. Although I love the earth and want to protect it more, this socialist movement is something I abhor. I believe in capitalism and freedom and unfortunately, the radical nature of tree-hugging environmentalism is no longer respectful of and compatible with these concepts.

[Pat4ever]

Well done, Amy! “The Delta smelt is only tissue too.” Excellent point.

[Haiku Guy]

In California, farmers have difficulty gaining additional irrigation because many environmentalists are concerned that an increase in water usage will affect the habitat of the 2-3 inch Delta Smelt. For crying out loud, we’re halting business for a tiny fish?

You're missing the point, Amy...

The farmers are not asking for additional irrigation. They are asking to continue their historcally consistent levels of irrigation, but the government has taken away the water, destroying existing and thriving farms, in order to increase water flow in the Sacramento Delta.

And it isn't even about saving the Delta Smelt. The fish survived the previous levels of irrigation, and would survive if those levels were resumed. But enironmentalists who are opposed to any profitable use of natural resources have found a way to abuse the Endangered Species Act to prevent the use of this water. This is just the latest tactic in the water wars that have been going on in California for the last fifty years.

If the Delta Smelt were really engangered, they might have a point. But it is not.

[rlmorel]

Excellent! Check out this Free Republic thread:

I saw Lorax with the Grandkids...here's my review (By Jeff Head)

Your thread is right up this alley, and vice-versa.

[rlmorel]

"...But environmentalists who are opposed to any profitable use of natural resources have found a way to abuse the Endangered Species Act to prevent the use of this water..."

The heart of the matter. Well intentioned (and that is being extremely generous) legislation folded, spindled and mutilated to suit the needs of people who think people in general, and Americans in particular are vermin who must be destroyed to protect precious Gaia.

A cautionary tale with any legislation where liberals have a hand in how it is enforced or carried out.

[Mikey_1962]

Theodor Seuss Geisel was a political cartoonist for years, very anti-Republican and FDR sycophant. He was ardently opposed to Fascism (check out his anti-Axis cartoons) but supported the Japanese interment.

Truly a complex person.

But if there was any political agenda or reference in “Cat in the Hat”, or “One fish Two fish”, I missed it.

[Mygirlsmom]

Although I love the earth and want to protect it more, this socialist movement is something I abhor.

Very "Seuss-esque"! I like it!!

Congratulations Amy on your advancement beyond the 8 year old's thought process to adulthood. As you now see, there are many "grown ups" who never make that leap.

Those of us who did are happy to welcome another member--we need the reinforcements.

(P. S. Bring friends!)

[elcid1970]

Hmmm.... Shel Silverstein? I used to laugh at his cartoons and satire lyrics in Playboy back in the sixties.

“I’m a three legged man, with a two legged woman, being chased across the desert by a one legged fool...”

;^)

[cripplecreek]

I think I tend to prefer the term "Conservationist" for myself. It pains me to cut down trees but it sometimes needs to be done and I get a special joy out of watching new ones grow.

You should study the case of the Kirtland's Warbler.



50 years ago there were an estimated 50 breeding pairs confined to a small nesting area in central northern Michigan. Today they number in the thousands with a range that covers the northern third of Michigan's lower peninsula, parts of the upper peninsula and Wisconsin.

The bird's return can be almost entirely credited to logging and controlled burns. The birds thrive in young jackpine forests that were disappearing in the absence of natural forest fires.

[TalBlack]

“However, when that affection crowds out rationality and reality by allowing the propaganda of the “Green Movement” to guide your decisions politically and economically, it is nothing but destructive. “

It doesn’t crowed out anything in the “treehuggers”. They never really cared in the first place. They simply need something general enough to give them control of what everyone is and is not allowed to do. Enviromentalisim is their justification and authority for damning others.

[netmilsmom]

Brilliant!

[ken5050]

Kudos!..superb piece..

BTW..congrats onthe Billikins getting an NCAA bid...Majeurus can coach..and it's nice to see that he's regained his health.

Are you planning on running for Congress after you graduate?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks amylutz4.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The delta smelt is a bait fish. It’s only use, as far as I know, is to catch bigger fish. With all due respect to your environmental sensitivities, does it really matter if it dies off?

[amylutz4]

Thanks ken5050! Thanks for the support for the Bills! Can’t wait to watch them on Friday. As per the suggestion for a Congressional run, I haven’t really considered it, but would you believe you’re actually the second person to ask me that this week?