A Victory for the Environment and Wildlife

I’m generally not very political these days… except when it comes to the environment. That, I understand better than the many other faucets of our quagmired yet multi-dimensional political system. What I do know, is that many of our current politicians have continuously levied attacks against the environment for no better reason than to make money. Not for the country, not to serve the people, but either for themselves or for political gain. The expense? A few more thin slices are cut from America’s last piece of public land pie.

The evidence is overwhelming here in Idaho; the state with the most open space in the lower 48 – the only state not covered by the nationwide Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Even despite the economic viability of fishing, hunting and backpacking – and the combined outcry from these groups; Idaho’s roadless land remains virtually unprotected. Keep in mind, less than 2% of all land in the US is roadless (Source: Wilderness Society). That means Idaho and Alaska are about it. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take summer in Idaho over rainy, cold, mosquito-infested (yet absolutely beautiful) Alaska anytime.

Living in the reddest state of the US has proved enlightening. Aggravating too. Urbanization of Economics depicts that the reason why people live in Idaho is primarily singular – they come for the wilderness. It also teaches that cities (economies) are nothing without a core group of people – the working middle class. But yet, this evidence eludes many. Our political leaders tend to support causes that promise them big business in the future by use of methods that go against what sustains cities to begin with. I’m not saying I want to see Idaho all blue or all red, just a bit more balanced.

Growing your business in Idaho, be you a politician, small business owner, corporate worker or Joe the Plumber, should utilize methodology that supports what makes Idaho – Idaho. Grow in a way that conserves, preserves, promotes and protects Idaho wilderness – instead of making the easy choice to support methodology that undermines the reasoning of why people choose to live in Idaho.

It seems, that once you’ve lived in a frontier state like Idaho, it’s easy to forget that the other 48 states don’t have roadless forests, open desert and intact ecosystems that aren’t swarming with people and problems. In some states, they just plain don’t exist.

Even now, the day after the election, there is hope. Environmental organizations are scrambling to embrace a new forthcoming administration, one that favors protecting the environment in hopes of protecting our future.

That gives me hope.

More info. on Idaho Roadless Rule

Defenders of Wildlife Election 08 Wrap-Up Video:

2008 Election Wrap-Up from Defenders Action Fun on Vimeo.