Conservatism Doesn't Mean Anti-Conservationist (The Greening Of Conservatism Alert)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 09/04/06 | Niall Ferguson

[goldstategop]

The idea that there is something fundamentally unconservative about protecting the environment is, of course, a canard. At the very core of British conservatism since the time of Benjamin Disraeli has been a romantic reverence for the land and a desire to mitigate the damage done by industrialization. It was Marx and Engels who sneered at "the idiocy of rural life." It was Lenin and Stalin whose mania for smoke-belching steelworks turned huge tracts of Russia into toxic wastelands.

Conservatives do not expect problems to be solved by some kind of world government; on the contrary, they prefer local solutions to global solutions. They also know that enlightened self-interest, not utopian fantasy, is the best basis for policy. And that is precisely why they may prove to be more effective environmentalists than the first generation of left-wing Greens, whose idealism too often slid over the edge into extremism

[goldstategop]

Conservatism turning Green? There's a historical basis for it, in our love of the land and our belief the natural heritage should be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Where we part company with the Left is over the notion regulatory mania and command and control policies will keep the air clean and the water pure. We are all to some extent environmentalists because we love our planet. It sounds good and its good politics. Being conservationists could just give conservatism that second wind.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[neodad]

It was Marx and Engels who sneered at "the idiocy of rural life."

The early equivilent to "fly over" country.

[leadpenny]

For over 30 years I have recycled or composted all things that were once green and growing. It's one of the important things that makes me a conservative.

Leaves, grass clippings and vegetable waste do nothing for me when sent to the land fill. In the woods it feeds the forest and in the compost pile it makes beautiful black potting soil.

[Hong Kong Expat]

Trust me, go to Hong Kong, Beijing or any asian city and you'll be begging for regulations.

[Alia]

Then you might enjoy reading William Tucker's piece today in Mandating Physics on the lines of Arnold going "green". Snips:

On the contrary, I think it's going to be fun to see what happens. The reason is that environmentalists will quickly discover they're never going to get anywhere in reducing carbon emissions without embracing nuclear power....

All this will change, however, once California starts cutting back on carbon. The Northeast Coalition -- New York, New Jersey, and the New England states -- have already discovered this. When they pledged to reduce greenhouse gases two years ago, there was widespread talk about closing down Westchester County's Indian Point, New Jersey's Oyster Creek, and just about every other nuclear plant in sight. Now things have become strangely quiet.

Even some of the most dedicated environmentalists are starting to realize they're never going to get anywhere in cutting carbon emissions without nuclear. That's why it's going to be fun to see what happens in California.

[goldstategop]

After reading, I have to agree conservatives shouldn't pursue Jimmy Carter's mistaken coal policy. If we must beat the Left at its own game - go nuclear! Since the Left takes global warming akin to a religious apocalypse, the only serious form of power that doesn't produce CO2 is - nuclear energy! We'd trap the Left between their desire to cool down the planet and their neo-Luddite revulsion to environmentally responsible technology - and a cheap and dependable source of power.

(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )

[elli1]

Conservatism turning Green?

I'm my same old conservative self with the exception of having started using plastic garbage bags in the last year due to a decades-old running conflict over waste management with my less-conservative house mate.

I still drive a second-hand small car, still reuse Zip-Loc bags, still maintain an expanding collection of used lumber and rummage sale house paint. And I'm still redeeming smashed aluminum cans & keeping a compost pile. Still turning off the AC & opening the windows.

Burn my paper & cardboard trash in the firepit, too. But, only at the point of a gun, will I stand at the sink to wash out tin cans & peel the labels off empty jars of Ragu to help make a bunch of idiot libs 'think' they're doing something 'Significant' to help the environment.

[EBH]

One day I spent some time surfing the net looking for a Conservative environmental organization. I found only one, and they are faking it. www.repamerica.org

Even their latest campaign on the front page is not at all what conservatives are about. They attempt to tackle the drilling off shore by stopping it. One little blurb about fiscal responsibility of the revenues and they want to stop all drilling. IMHO they should be tackling the issue as they present it regarding the fiscal responsibility, not campaigning to stop our growth towards American oil.

They sound just like the greenies with a sprinkling of conservative concerns for window dressing.

[Alia]

CA Greenies have shut down absolutely every attempt to make "sustainable energy" a reality in California. And amazingly, when President Clinton shut down a plant during his term and GAVE the coal to China, not a word was uttered by the American Greenies as in "nay, NAY!".

[sergeantdave]

You learn how the environment works by working in it. Sending in $25 to "Save the Whatever" is the act of useful idiots, of which the majority appear to be brainless soccor moms.

The overall stupidity of the typical eco-fascist is astounding. Most can't even name the two major greenhouse gases. And 99% couldn't point out wild rice if the boat was in the middle of a 1,000 yard long patch.

When I stick a plant into my soil, I know I've done more to conserve the environment than a thousand so-called environmentalists will do in their meaningless lifetimes.

[JimRed]

But, only at the point of a gun, will I stand at the sink to wash out tin cans & peel the labels off empty jars of Ragu to help make a bunch of idiot libs 'think' they're doing something 'Significant' to help the environment.

When recycling started in our area back in the 80's we were required to separate plastic and glass by color and metal cans by type. Now we commingle recyclables, so I assume that someone somewhere earns a living by separating them.

Even now I am in the habit of at least rinsing food containers before disposing of them, out of concern for the poor schlub who has to handle them later.

[Issaquahking]

Elli,


Perhaps a real look at real conservatives who practice what they preach could begin with a click here.

Another great organiztion with a missino statement like this might be worth sending money to -

Mission Statement

  Mission:

            Promote individual and property rights that are vital to the safety, social and economic well-being of the United States.  

Vision:

            Klamath Bucket Brigade is dedicated to -

·        Sustaining rural natural resource industries

·        Advocating for individual and private property rights

·        Educating the populace through sound science and research  

Values:

·        Integrity – Ethical behavior shall be the standard of this organization

·        Commitment – to the ideal that America was founded on

·        Financially prudent – utilize all funding in an efficient and appropriate    manner

·        Community/National focus – committed to assisting our communities and nation within the scope of our organization  

Key Result Areas:  

            Sustain natural resource industries

·        Educate the populace on individual and private property rights

·        Assist in amending the ESA to protect our rural natural resource industries

·        Counteract false information utilizing sound science and research  

            Networking

·        Coordinate our efforts with other property rights groups nationwide

·        Maintain national exposure

·        Advocate for the wise use of our natural resources

             Finances

            ·        Maintain and refine our financial system

·        Secure stable and adequate funding for the organization and related projects   For more information -Go Here!

Rocky
Bucket Brigade Member.

[isaiah55version11_0]

The Boy Scouts are a conservative and environmental. Just
not Commie environmental.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Common sense conservation yes. Absolutely. Evironmental wackoism? No.

[girlangler]

"One day I spent some time surfing the net looking for a Conservative environmental organization. I found only one, and they are faking it. www.repamerica.org"

BTTT.

I have to run, thought you guys might answer this freeper's question.

[enviros_kill]

Accepting the premise, 'recycling is good,' is the first mistake many people make. That premise has been proven wrong for ALL items except aluminum cans, steel and a few other items.

MORE INFO:
Recycling: What a Waste!
by Jim Fedako
http://www.mises.org/story/1911

Time to Throw Out 'Myth' of Recycling
David Harrison
London Daily Telegraph
http://www.tysknews.com/Depts/Environment/myth_recycling.htm

Bin these authoritarian policies (2006 UK experiences)
The attempt to convict a mum of failing to follow new recycling rules shows that green policies are becoming ever-more draconian - and unpopular.
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/printable/1019/

The Utter Waste Of Recycling
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/826870/posts

The Penn and Teller Bulls*it episode on recycling from April 2004 (30 minutes) is great if you don't mind a humorous R-rated documentary on the stupidity of recycling that also contains the facts noted in the above articles.
IMDB: http://imdb.com/title/tt0771119/
Netflix: http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70019986

[elli1]

Even now I am in the habit of at least rinsing food containers before disposing of them, out of concern for the poor schlub who has to handle them later.

I just don't. Separate the metal, plastic & glass. Reason is that I don't think it makes economic or environmental sense for me to spend my time & resources to clean the stuff up, separate it, haul it to the curb in individual containers to be picked up in a separate recycling truck with a crew of workers to be hauled to a recycling center & further handled & hauled & handled. Doesn't make sense to spend a tank of gas to save a gallon, to spend a dollar to save a dime.... False economy, IMO.

[elli1]

Great selection of articles (I read them all). Thank you!

[elli1]

Another great organiztion with a missino statement like this might be worth sending money to

Definitely.

Follow-up on the Klamath Falls story:

The Stand at Klamath Falls