We're not in this to save the planet...

I attribute much of this entry to the late George Carlin, whose comedic rant about environmentalists got me thinking:

For decades many environmentalists have been parading around encouraging others to help in the battle to 'save the planet'. Moreover, as part of the recent indulgence of business to 'green itself', a myriad of advertising campaigns speak about their desire to 'help save the planet'. I think we need to make something clear: the planet doesn't need saving.

In its 4.7 billion year history, the planet has dealt with quite a bit. Ice ages to warm periods, asteroids and comets and who knows what else. And with each change the planet has promptly dealt with it and refreshed itself, without anything or anyone else helping out. And now humans believe that the planet needs our help to save itself from the problems we've caused since our 15,000 years or so on the planet. A tad arrogant, isn't it? As far as the planet is concerned, anthropogenic problems are simply an itch that needs to be scratched; it's faced far more significant issues before.

So what are we really trying to save? Ourselves probably; or if we're trying to sound a little less selfish, trying to save an environment that will allow us to keep living fairly comfortably. And sure, perhaps some are looking to save certain animals, species or ecosystems for their intrinsic value, which is justified.

But it's an important question to ask yourself: in the whole environmental issue, who or what is it that you think we're trying to save? Because it certainly isn't the planet.