The essay “American — and proud of it” by
Geneen Haugen suggested that “the stunning fact that Americans have
preserved habitat at all is evidence of an emerging ecological
vision” (HCN, 11/8/04: American — and proud of it). The
optimist in me would like to agree. However, setting aside large
areas of natural environment means that, as an industrial nation of
consumers, we obtain a substantial proportion of our energy and
resources from outside our borders.
We will see the true
colors of our “emerging ecological vision” when Americans are
forced by trade deficit to manage our own natural resources more
intensively to meet the desired lifestyles of our growing
population. Perhaps by then sustainability will make the front page
of mainstream media.
Tom
Paragi
Fairbanks, Alaska
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Not so proud to be an American.
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