Well, it's spring again and time to beg people not to have their yards sprayed for mosquitoes. You know what would be nice? If the people in charge of protecting our wildlife took real action on the subject, but, of course, we live in a world where the almighty dollar and a pathological desire for convenience reigns supreme. So, pest control companies grow larger, our wildlife populations grow smaller, and concerned citizens grow increasingly gloomy about the future of nature.
In fact, I think it is fair to say that at
this point, nature is endangered. Humans have pushed it to the brink,
since we have occupied most of the land, and are leaving the rest of
the creatures on this planet with fewer places to go. Ironically,
encounters with wildlife may increase in this situation, creating the
illusion of wildlife abundance when, in fact, the numbers indicate
otherwise.
As only a part of this complex problem,
here come the residential mosquito control companies, making the
outdoors “fun” again. They say that what they use is “natural”
and “Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved” and that
they are careful about application, but these are dubious claims that
any amateur entomologist could refute.
Let me give it a whirl.
First, these companies use pyrethroids,
broad spectrum and deadly poisons. No matter how careful one is,
pyrethroids will end up killing butterflies, dragonflies,
damselflies, crickets, beetles, fireflies and many more innocuous and
beneficial species. It is a synthetic version of a natural substance,
with additives to make it persist longer in the environment than its
Chrysanthemum derived counterpart. It is approved by the EPA but this
is a meaningless claim, since the EPA (in its previous incarnation)
has determined that pyrethroids are indeed “bad”, but that the
economic pros outweigh the effects on human health and the
environment. Yup, the almighty dollar again. Who knows what our
present EPA will decide. Maybe they’ll encourage us to drink it
twice a day to prevent measles.
Second, the use of these substances will
create even worse problems over time as the wildly prolific mosquito
develops resistance while less hardy natural enemies do not adapt
quite so efficiently. Furthermore, the prevalence of arthropod borne
diseases is rising due to climate change, so our urge to spray our
troubles away will intensify. Are we having “fun” yet? I
hear there are no mosquitoes on Mars.
Third, it is not necessary to resort to
hiring these companies at all. There are inexpensive, non-toxic
methods of mosquito control if people would just do a little
homework. By the way, this long list of solutions does not include a
bug zapper, which kills many more beneficial insects than it does
mosquitoes. These, too, should be discontinued for the sake of our
struggling insects. I’m partial to nature-based solutions: building
habitat for our mosquito eating friends like bats and dragonflies.
But if that sounds like too much work, get a fan.
I should point out that even if you don’t
like insects at all, many other groups of animals (that perhaps you
do like) depend on them directly or indirectly. I could make
the argument that one beloved group of animals in particular: humans,
also depends on insects. However, this argument is not one I tend to
utilize since I maintain that animals do not exist for us, they exist
with us. It is our obligation as thinking, compassionate beings, to
share this planet equitably. This should be argument enough.
Please, neighbor, don’t use pesticides.
They are poisons and will have deleterious effects on human health
and the environment no matter how careful you are. In fact, let’s
take it even further. Let’s support nature by winding down our
wildlife damaging behaviors and treating our fellow animals with the
respect they deserve. Restore habitat, promote biodiversity and
coexist, people, or we will be living in a world where the animals we
regard as “pests” will be all that remains.
While
perhaps a small crime in comparison to his much more flagrant
offenses, Trump’s decision to pave over the White House rose garden
stood out to me as a massive symbol of his worldview. If Trump had it
his way, he’d pave over all living things to build golf courses,
resorts and casinos. He’d wipe out The Everglades to build prisons.
He’d cut down all our forests to make a few people rich. Since his
followers agree, and they have the power and resources to act, this
anti-nature agenda is coming hard and fast, and the window of
opportunity to change direction is closing.
Though
I’m not convinced that he fully understands it, Trump sold his
followers on a vision. He called it a “Golden Age” of prosperity.
But as his policies play out, and as his smarter enablers scheme, it
is increasingly clear that he is steering us towards a
techno-capitalist dystopia. In this world, wealth accumulation comes
first, so there are few winners and many losers, necessitating the
perpetuation of war and harsh punishment: keeping people always on
edge, in a state of paranoia. The intrinsic value of living
things is not recognized in this world, so one must “prove” to be
useful or worthy. With automation looming, the working person would
have no such value in this scenario, and nature is merely an
impediment to progress.
Trump’s
daily misdeeds keep his adversaries in perpetual panic, tenaciously
pursuing each new indiscretion before there is even time to process
the last. The result? He is distracting us and wearing us out.
Suppressing at least some of our oppositional tendencies to
reallocate energy towards developing our own version of the future is
not just a smart move politically, it will inspire us. Allow me to
give this version of the future a name: the livable planet.
In
this vision, nature is not in the way of progress but is placed at
the very center of all decision making. Nature is not in conflict
with humanity but is instead woven into the very fabric of society.
From this, all good things follow. Quality of life is elevated over
the accumulation of material goods. Health is elevated over wealth.
Compassion for others leads to diplomacy and restorative justice.
Meeting basic needs like housing, food, and energy is paramount, but
nature and human health are not regularly sacrificed to achieve it.
Creativity and innovation are encouraged to build the livable planet.
So, while it is cooperative and nurturing, it is also bold: a
different interpretation of peace through strength.
The
economy is changing. Whether we like it or not, business as usual
cannot continue. The urgency to choose the direction our society
takes is being magnified by the rise of AI and the Trumpian vision on
one end, and by the time-sensitive acceleration of the climate and
biodiversity crises on the other. I urge my fellow progressives
to promote the livable planet wherever we go. That way, when the
MAGA’s path of destruction comes to an end, and it will, we’ll be
there with a plan to repair it.
I wrote a couple of Haiku's while reading Trash Wars by Alexander Clapp. The first I wrote, the second is his words rearranged to fit into the format.
Six were killed, six maimed
Busting apart the remains
Of the old love boat.
Trash layered their shores
Piles rise high as houses
Children played in it.
