I am impressed with, and thankful for, all of the responses to my question.
I was recently (since I asked the question) encouraged to see some
examples of "environmentalists" that are actually DOING something
("Edens Lost and Found") on my local public TV station. None of them
claimed to be scientists, but all were "activists." And not a whiner
in the bunch.
As to "environmental scientist," I hope that today's students and
graduates actually DO science, or make clear that their environmental
science degree qualifies them as, for example, a synthesizer of
scientific research, a highly useful occupation that, I hope, uses
scientific/intellectual discipline and thus is primarily concerned
with integrating science with the rest of us in ultimately or
immediately useful ways. I hope, but I don't know.
As for the "whiners," they certainly affect the way science,
particularly ecology, seems to be interpreted by "US." That is, even
"beer-can" "ecologists" can be useful in gaining attention to greater
and lesser environmental issues. This is not to say that the matter
of "whining" does not have its negative effects, even to the extent
of producing the backlash that transmogrifies the meaning into a mere
label of derision. That true ecology suffers from such terms as
"the" ecology, is an unfortunate "side" effect of the spirit of
self-righteous contempt in which much environmental whining is
done. There is much repair of the warp and woof of the substance of
ecology needed for a number of reasons, but just how it is conveyed
to "the public" is perhaps the unkindest rip of all. While it is
unfortunate that "image" counts for more than substance in the actual
world of human behavior, I hope that more environmentalists will
become weavers than rippers.
I particularly salute those "environmentalists" who, rather than cut
my throat for a few bucks, trudge daily, scavenging through the
streets and alleys, thence with shopping carts, bicycles and all
manner of contraptions, bulging with plastic bags full of cans and
bottles, to the recycling centers. While they may not have much
direct effect on "real" ecology, their spirit, and that of those who
care enough to raise hell about their own immediate impression of
"the ecology," perhaps needs better guidance by, and respect from,
the ecological elite.
Just some musings . . .
Thanks to all of you--who obviously care enough to participate in
this vibrant email community, weaving, even spinning, but mostly
sharing, sharp insights and broad underpinnings for the great
tapestry of life, even in the midst of cultural absurdities.
WT
Perhaps a replacement term, or set of terms, is needed to take the
place of those so sullied by popular misuse if not misrepresentation
as to be ineffective or even counterproductive?
