Speth Chapter 3

The Limits of Today’s Environmentalism

At first reading this chapter I was a little concerned. “Today’s Environmentalism” that Speth described seemed very much based on the past, and therefore stuck in some of the methods that have not been working. Especially with the discussion of the state of the lakes and rivers, despite the dramatic improvement due to the Clean Air and Water Acts. There has been improvement, but it has been happening gradually over 35 years. The problem with this kind of evaluation of Environmental action on the part of the U.S. is that it sets a very low precedent. Granted, this is all that we have to compare to, but it doesn’t mean that something much more drastic and helpful could happen.
This links into a concept that Speth discusses, which is that today’s environmentalism will “take what it can get.” Compromise must be an option, as economic stability cannot be abandoned. The question is, how much of a compromise? Does that mean continuing to make changes that will only happen over the next 35 years, even when evidence clearly states that there are NOT 35 years to spare?
In the end, Speth brings things back to the present however, no longer dwelling on the past, stating that “These patterns could change.” This is a very important message. It is important to understand the history of what has happened, so that we can understand why it is NOT enough, and why, although effective over a long period of time, and it is nice to congratulate ourselves o n progress, in comparison to what needs to be done now, it is not enough.