Greens Bite Back

Murray Dobbin outlines an important debate between two distinct factions within the environmental movement (“Green Party Blues,” July/August). The first, which he seems to favour, envisions an endless fight between those preserving nature and those exploiting it—between environmentalists and economists. The crux of this outlook is that capitalism is, and always will be, anathema to the natural world.

The second faction envisions a full-scale structural change of our economic system—a change in market behaviour based on tax and consumer incentives, favouring environmentally friendly goods and practices while punishing those who are destructive. Dobbin sneers at this “eco-capitalism,” insinuating that it is somehow treasonous to the movement, or at least misguided.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Environmental preservation will remain a fruitless endeavour unless we begin to treat an even sicker patient: status quo business economics. This will entail economic tinkering and solutions that strike at the root causes of systemic environmental degradation, in addition to ongoing regulation and conservation efforts.

The jury is still out on the efficacy of Canada’s Green Party under Jim Harris. But he should be commended, not maligned, for moving in this direction.

Fraser Los
Toronto, Ontario

Murray Dobbin’s suggestion that the ndp is more environmentally friendly than the Green Party, echoed by some in the Sierra Club and Greenpeace, should be closely scrutinized. In 2004, the ndp government in Saskatchewan cut eighteen conservation officers, leaving some to drive more than 160 kilometres to investigate complaints with little chance of catching alleged poachers. The government refuses to bring in regulations to control and limit the burning of wheat stubble near Regina’s city limits, causing heavy smoke to blow into the city. Earlier this year, the ndp opened part of the Sand Hills region of southwest Saskatchewan to oil and gas interests, where previously there had been none.

The sad reality is that, according to a recent poll, the environment ranks among the lowest priorities for Saskatchewan residents. Whatever the faults of the federal Green Party on the environment, I put Jim Harris ahead of most New Democrats in office.

Richard Jack
Regina, Saskatchewan