"Ecominded" Reply to David

In reply to David Tripe's article printed in the previous issue of "Salient", (March 21st) I would like to point out a few facts in support of Ecology Action.

First, the A.G.M. of Ecology Action was designed mainly to elect officers and discuss where Ecology Action was going in 1973. Contrary to Mr Tripe's opinion I am of the view that the majority of people interested in Ecology Action came to the meeting well aware of the "fundamental nature of the problems of conservation and pollution", and were merely trying to decide how to go about tackling them. Aiming for the sky is a common complaint amongst armchair radicals. Ecology Action realises that our main enemies are the consumer and the capitalist. However one can encourage understanding about pollution, conservation, waste and resource use amongst people who have not thought about the issues behind the problem, and who may not wish to in their own interests. Admittedly, one cannot talk people out of their profit motives, but to ask the western world as a whole, or even in part to give away capitalism may be even more quixotic.

Ecology Action's constitution emphasizes the need for education and persuasion. We have little hope of achieving more than this, except in small areas of local interest where our activities are likely to have affect. Ecology Action is opposing the Beech Forest utilisation proposals not only for ecological and aesthetic reasons but also on the grounds that they are principally a scheme for short-term profits for private New Zealand companies and overseas interests. Social benefits to the West Coast will be minimal.

I am in agreement that the consumer should not "have to buy all this junk that needs to be recycled anyway", and 1 should hope that consciencious Ecology Action members do shop "ecomindedly". It is the unaware consumer who we must get to, through publicity campaigns that mean something to him, not through highbrow political objectives that he mistrusts. Ecology Action's policy on population, pollution and conservation existed long before the Values Party appeared — we must remain politically unbiased so as to be independent of all parties, even though governmental legislation may be the best approach to major environmental problems.