The disproportionate use of global
natural resources by the citizens of the United States is the
number-one environmental issue, contrary to the opinion of ex-Gov.
Lamm (HCN, 2/16/04: Why I’m running). Until the citizens of
this country and our government curb their gluttonous use of global
resources, we have absolutely no right to deny hard-working people
of any country the right to live at the same standard we enjoy. We
cannot fault others for wanting to live at that standard —
but it comes at the cost of countries around the globe. According
to Richard R. Wilk in Emulation and Global
Consumerism: “If everyone develops a desire for the
Western high-consumption lifestyle, the relentless growth in
consumption, energy use, waste, and emissions may be disastrous.”
While I do not agree with some positions taken by the
Sierra Club, its work on legal issues regarding the environment is
invaluable. Educating and lobbying for decreasing oil, mineral and
timber use and extraction, while increasing education and lobbying
for conservation and alternative energy sources, is a much more
pressing “environmental issue” than immigration.
Josh Chapman
Arcata,
California
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Consumption is the issue, not immigration.
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