Look at the birdie…
The spotted owl has done it again. Apparently, the species did not recover as fast as desired and now that the logging industry would like to expand their activities in Oregon, after a few years of an involuntary break, the owl is still at risk. Bummer…
I wonder why the trees are so necessary to the logging industry. The article says that the 100-year-old firs so desired by the spotted owls and the lumber companies alike will be used to produce construction materials. I mean, let’s face it, the construction industry is already in a bit of a bind because the market is flooded with new construction. I also don’t see people lined up to buy new houses either, so why the heck can’t we just leave the trees alone for now?
I know that it’s competition and that profits need to drop to almost zero before you can prevent companies from entering the market and expanding production but there are certain things that the market does not take very good care of–they’re called externalities and non-market goods, such as the environment, are one of them. Just take a drive around L.A., while enjoying a lovely morning of smog along with your latte, and you know what a depressive hell the market can produce. Even Hollywood cannot bring glamor to such a dirty cement jungle.
It seems to me that cutting these trees is not going to provide much good. Sure, in the short run, we will create employment, taxes, and wages but in the long run, among other things, we will depreciate the price of housing, contribute to carbon dioxide emissions, create erosion problems, and maybe bring the owl to extinction. So, why can’t we just leave the trees alone???
October 21st, 2007 at 3:39 am
[...] let’s lighten the mood a little now, and why not head over to Globally Green Living and learn about the spotted [...]
October 29th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
[...] **The logging industry is under attack again over the ’spotted owl’. Read the whole stor… Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Natural and Sustainable. It’s Free! « Back Home Posted in Repurposing, Green Your Home, Saving Money, Recycling, Saving The Earth, Sustainable, Green Living, Whole Living, Natural on October 29th, 2007 Link to this Entry Email This Entry [...]