The Nature conservancy asked for my 'message of hope' for earth day 2006, I think I got a little carried away, but I thought I'd share. Read it.
I think Theodore Roosevelt verbalized my sentiment best when he said,
"Defenders of the short-sighted men who in their greed and selfishness will, if permitted, rob our country of half its charm by their reckless extermination of all useful and beautiful wild things sometimes seek to champion them by saying the game belongs to the people.' So it does; and not merely to the people now alive, but to the unborn people. The 'greatest good for the greatest number' applies to the number within the womb of time, compared to which those now alive form but an insignificant fraction. Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method."
- Theodore Roosevelt, 1916
Former President Theodore Roosevelt struck a cord here that few mention today, and it is truly a shame. A shame because our future generations is what truly matters the most, and to what noble end will it serve to exploit nature and its resources for the good of today, when it means future generations will not have the opportunity to experience a pristine ecosystem, our even the Natural places that have come to symbolize the United States and all the good things it stands for. Imagine a future where Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Tetons, our few remaining pristine rivers, and the old growth forests that still stand, are no more. No more because over time they have fallen victim to a loosening of standards and Commercial pursuits. That thought is what keeps me driven to actively campaign for the environment, every chance I get.
The truth of the matter is, that exploiting nature or any of its resources serves no greater good. in fact the only good it serves is in the interest of the greedy, and the short sighted. It is negligent, on everybody's part, to not stand up for all generations 'within the womb of time', for it is them that stand to lose the most.
It is my hope that one day, several generations from now, some one in my lineage, or anybody really, will stand in Yosemite valley, among the falls of Yellowstone, or over looking the snake river, with the golden light of sunset casting its final glow upon the Tetons in all their glory, and simply say "wow" as they watch the light fade out over the pristine landscape. Because in that moment, they will know, know the feeling I experience today, and they will know what it is all about.
Thank you for reading,
Ryan Guth
I think Theodore Roosevelt verbalized my sentiment best when he said,
"Defenders of the short-sighted men who in their greed and selfishness will, if permitted, rob our country of half its charm by their reckless extermination of all useful and beautiful wild things sometimes seek to champion them by saying the game belongs to the people.' So it does; and not merely to the people now alive, but to the unborn people. The 'greatest good for the greatest number' applies to the number within the womb of time, compared to which those now alive form but an insignificant fraction. Our duty to the whole, including the unborn generations, bids us restrain an unprincipled present-day minority from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. The movement for the conservation of wild life and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method."
- Theodore Roosevelt, 1916
Former President Theodore Roosevelt struck a cord here that few mention today, and it is truly a shame. A shame because our future generations is what truly matters the most, and to what noble end will it serve to exploit nature and its resources for the good of today, when it means future generations will not have the opportunity to experience a pristine ecosystem, our even the Natural places that have come to symbolize the United States and all the good things it stands for. Imagine a future where Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Tetons, our few remaining pristine rivers, and the old growth forests that still stand, are no more. No more because over time they have fallen victim to a loosening of standards and Commercial pursuits. That thought is what keeps me driven to actively campaign for the environment, every chance I get.
The truth of the matter is, that exploiting nature or any of its resources serves no greater good. in fact the only good it serves is in the interest of the greedy, and the short sighted. It is negligent, on everybody's part, to not stand up for all generations 'within the womb of time', for it is them that stand to lose the most.
It is my hope that one day, several generations from now, some one in my lineage, or anybody really, will stand in Yosemite valley, among the falls of Yellowstone, or over looking the snake river, with the golden light of sunset casting its final glow upon the Tetons in all their glory, and simply say "wow" as they watch the light fade out over the pristine landscape. Because in that moment, they will know, know the feeling I experience today, and they will know what it is all about.
Thank you for reading,
Ryan Guth