Introduction

Timber companies are stripping the United States forests of trees at an unprecedented rate.

Global warming is melting polar icecaps, causing coastal cities to be submerged.

One hundred species of plants and animals become extinct everyday.

The ozone layer is thinning, allowing more cancer-causing UV radiation to reach the Earth.

We often hear statements like these in the news media. Letters from environmental organizations attempt to mobilize their supporters by presenting similar concerns for the earth’s future. The Vice President of our nation is an active promoter of environmental issues. These same ideas are echoed in school textbooks across the nation, supposedly based on scientific facts. But are they? What can we really believe about the state of our environment?

I want to show that you can make informed decisions about environmental issues. By taking a balanced approach, you can more shrewdly evaluate claims made about our physical environment, and reach your own conclusions.

1. Filter information you hear.

Be suspicious of:

	worst-case scenarios
	theories presented as scientific "facts"
	a bias against economic growth and technology
	human beings presented as an enemy of nature rather than a part of it

2. Develop a healthy skepticism about news releases.

Press releases that describe a new discovery are often sensationalized and overstated. Some scientists rely on news releases to promote their discoveries, when they should be using peer review.

3. Understand the role of science.

You do not have to be a science expert to make wise decisions about the information you read and hear. As you evaluate a particular theory, see if scientific evidence actually supports it. And make a point of being well read.

Realize that science helps us understand our physical world, but science can be biased. A researcher may insist on promoting a pet theory, in spite of mounting evidence that contradicts it. The scientific community may choose to ignore research results that are politically unpopular. Even so, the information that science provides about our planet cannot be ignored if we want to make the best decisions about how to live on the earth.

4. Understand the motivation.

Everyone is going to put their spin on an issue in order to sell you. Some possible motivations:

Sincere belief of an extreme position. The individual or group may truly believe what they are promoting. One type of extreme position sees the earth in terms of doomsday, worst-case scenarios.   On the opposite extreme, there are those who believe that any type of pro-environment stand is driven only by a big government’s desire to get even bigger, and have its hand in every aspect of our lives

Political motive. A politician may wish to appear environmentally concerned in order to win certain segments of voters.

Economic motive. A group may serve to benefit financially from a particular viewpoint. For example, the timber industry would probably argue that they should not pay more for trees.

5. Look at the source.

If a problem can be traced to a definite source, it makes sense to deal with it. There are some definable problems that have been addressed with positive results. Examples of these: Water Quality, Air Quality, Acid Rain.

But if the source of a problem is more nebulous, relying on the observation of systems where it is difficult to separate out what man is causing vs. what is naturally occurring, it is best not to jump to quick conclusions.

An example of such an issue is global warming.   Because the physical earth is a very complex system, it can be risky to adopt any theory in an attempt to explain weather. After the blizzards of 1976-77 some scientists, noting record low temperatures during that time, were predicting another Ice Age. Then a hot summer of 1988 caused many to go in the opposite direction, predicting global warming. But measurements taken by satellite and weather balloon instruments, which have recorded temperatures in the upper troposphere between 1979 and mid-1996, show no significant global warming.

6. Look at the economics.

If a proposed solution makes good economic sense in addition to being environmentally sound, it stands a better chance of succeeding. An example:

Mandatory recycling and separation of garbage requires more trucks, fuel usage and pollution. Its success has been questionable, since the cost of the recycling may be higher than the price consumers will pay for the recycled product. But voluntary recycling of aluminum cans, cardboard, and scrap steel allows individuals to actually make money. These recycling efforts have proved extremely successful.

Conclusion

We can all benefit by taking a balanced approach to evaluating environmental problems. So, refuse to be manipulated by environmental extremists of any viewpoint. You have the means to understand the issues as well as anyone, by using the six methods I described: filtering information, developing a healthy skepticism of news releases, understanding the role of science, detecting the motivation for a viewpoint, finding the source, and pinpointing the economics.

As a citizen of planet Earth, you have a definite stake in establishing and maintaining good management of earth’s resources. Get the facts, decide for yourself – and move over, Al!