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The Effect of Alarmism

Nicholas (can I call you Nick?) Kristof has an interesting take on the recent ‘Death of Environmentalism’ debate:

At one level, we're all environmentalists now. The Pew Research Center found that more than three-quarters of Americans agree that "this country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment." Yet support for the environment is coupled with a suspicion of environmental groups. "The Death of Environmentalism" notes that a poll in 2000 found that 41 percent of Americans considered environmental activists to be "extremists." There are many sensible environmentalists, of course, but overzealous ones have tarred the entire field.

The loss of credibility is tragic because reasonable environmentalists - without alarmism or exaggerations - are urgently needed.

opposing view

By chris at March 13, 2005 - 8:53pm |

Dave Roberts offers an opposing view over at the Gristmill.

Nick Kristof

By Captain Salty (not verified) at March 14, 2005 - 1:21am |

Kristof's take is interesting, but would have been more effective if he hadn't declared environmentalism dead two days after Clean Skies -- one of environmentalism's top Bush agenda targets -- wasn't declared dead in committee.

I've got some rambling commentary here:
http://twoshotsandanolive.blogspot.com/2005/03/i-too-have-nightmare-whats-problem.html

Meh.

By Mikhail Capone (not verified) at March 15, 2005 - 4:21am |

I think that a lot of it has to do with "the opposition" (whoever they are.. Polluters) are doing the old tactic of "attacking the messenger instead of the message".

They are constantly calling us extremists and fringe group, try to make the compromises that they offer more appealing.

It's bullshit.