The Case Against Humanity

Erik at Alterdestiny has an interesting post on the subject of “ecofascism.” In short, Erik is troubled by what he believes are some anti-humanist tendencies in the American environmental movement. I’m not sure I agree, but the steady invocation of Teddy Roosevelt and the recent difficulties of the Sierra Club with a virulent anti-immigrant faction lend support to his argument.

Could environmentalism be taken over by right-wing thugs who tie environmentalism up with reprehensible ideas. I believe the answer to be yes. The major point that I worry about is the anti-humanism that is so wrapped up in American environmentalism. I believe this problem to be worse in America than in Europe. In Europe the lack the wilderness and the sheer population density of the place has generally led to an environmentalism that focuses on the problems of people, particularly pollution, nuclear power, urban environmentalism, etc. In America, environmentalism is, and has been for most of its history, specifically aimed to separate most people from the environment. The emphasis on wilderness and wildlife protection, while worthy projects, has demonized people as bad and wolves as good, let’s say. People are only supposed to enter nature in very specific circumstances. Work is separated from the environment. Hunting and fishing are often demonized. We only are supposed to interact with the environment in very specific ways. Access should be limited to those who deserve to go into the wilderness, says many environmentalists.

It’s pretty interesting, read the whole thing.