I am impressed by discussion on Mr Shambhu Lama's comments on the conflict between the locals and the distant government. No region of the world is exempt from this conflict between the locals and the Central authority. We are aware of the conflict between the locals in the northern Sweden and Stockholm on the issue of taming the rapids. Locals want to use the local resources to benefit them in the short term such as more jobs, easier way of life, more income, etc. This is evident from the havoc of tourism and extraction of natural resources throughout the world. Locals are more 'in tune' with the challenges facing them and are certainly better equipped in solving the problems. Unfortunately, they may not be aware of the impact of their action or inaction on others. If we control the erosion of the mountains, how would we get productive soil in the plains? If we control tourism, how can we promote local industries and jobs? What good is a natural sight if humans can not see it. Humans are typically concerned in combating short term tangible challenges which threaten their existence or possessions. One proverb says "what eye does not see does not exist". How true it is of human perception. Agriculture, chemicals, and electrical and mechanical power have helped alleviate hunger from many regions of the world. Medicine has saved many lives. Engineers have harnessed the nature in the service of humans. But what have these developments done to our population growth, land, water, and air? These are all results of the above philosophy in human psyche. Some people still have difficulty in believing that the earth is round. I believe, it is our job to make the public aware of the 'holistic' approach to developmental issues. Uncontrolled speed and excessive power does have the capacity to injure more workers and travelers more seriously. Mechanical power increases human operational speed and capabilities. But it also increases the chances for illness and injury. Asbestos, a miracle fiber in controlling fires is now credited with asbestosis. We have zillions of such examples to show that every progress has some negative side effects. As the classical American proverb says: "There are no free lunches". Through my talks and presentations I am attempting to make the public aware of this holistic approach and make informed decisions. Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) issues are inter-related and can not be considered in isolation from each other. Indeed, no human or societal decisions can be isolated in such a manner. As they would say in systems engineering, "no real life systems can be truly bounded". But still we in the developed countries have difficulty in personalizing the tragedies of hunger, war, and famine in the developing countries. Are these nature's ways to support Darwin. Can we in the developed world expect a starving person to be concerned about bio-diversity and not eat an endangered species while we eat our steak. C (Jivan) Saran, PhD, PE, CPE, CHCM Professor, Safety Science & Technology Central Missouri State university Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA Tel 1 816 543 4972, Fax/Tel: 816 747 8065, E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thu Apr 10 21:35:08 1997 Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 20:35:02 -0700 (PDT) From: William Affleck-Asch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Malibu Barbie as an Ecofeminist I was put in the unusual position of having to buy a Barbie for my ex-wife's daughter at Xmas, my son buying some outfits for the same. After seeing if there were any alternatives that could use the same clothes (nope), I settled on the Malibu Barbie - it had her as kind of a marine biologist, with beach clothes and doctor's kit to help marine wildlife. So, in a way, that _is_ the Ecofeminist Barbie ... William Affleck-Asch | The above is my personal opinion only and does not Seattle | necessarily reflect the opinions of any of the [EMAIL PROTECTED] | many organizations I belong to or represent. :-) off to Santa Barbara for Spring Break with my son - surf's up!
