THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9508310005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
In ``The Tragedy of the Commons'' (Science magazine, Dec. 13, 1968), Garrett Hardin examines the issue of the use and abuse of common resources. He comes to the necessary conclusion that mankind cannot rely on conscience to save himself from his excesses.
Instead, mankind must agree to some means of mutual coercion to ensure the continued existence and availability of natural resources on which human life depends. The creation and maintenance of this obligate system of mutual coercion appear to me to be the basic role of government.
Hardly a week goes by that your paper does not report another instance of our dwindling and more-sullied natural resources. For example, ``A bushel of trouble'' (news, Aug. 17). The waterman, George Marshall, bemoans increased regulation while expressing frustration at the loss of his livelihood based on the shining bounty of our Chesapeake Bay. We attack our government, but how many of us are trying to be a part of the solution to our societal ills? Do we not continue to demand more for less?
As our fishery stocks dwindle, do we really need leadership that would weaken our Clean Water Act, allowing the loss of even more wetlands? Those wetlands provide nursery area for numerous fishery species as well as filter the water which we increasingly refuse to drink from the public supply. In their rush to ensure the property rights of private landowners, do not these same leaders allow for the further deterioration of the Bay on which the watermen depend? Who will compensate the waterman for his loss caused by the filling in of the wetlands by the landowner?
Can any analysis put a value on George Marshall's livelihood earned from his hard work on the Bay? I fear not.
Having studied environmental science and policy, I know well the excesses and inadequacies of environmental regulation. Having cared for our children for the past 10 years, I also know human nature and our true needs. Mostly what we need is clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and food uncontaminated by chemicals that would poison our bodies.
There is a common-sense middle ground to be found in the debate over environmental regulation. I do not see the reasoning that will provide for the safe, secure future we say we desire for our children in the politics of greed now running rampant throughout our country.
C. STEPHEN VINSON, M.D.
Virginia Beach, Aug. 17, 1995 by CNB