Does Environmental Propaganda Belong in Our Public Schools?

     This morning I was listening to a local radio talk show and the topic was recycling. A guest speaker was stating how they want and have spoken to children at schools, public schools, and I felt that this is inappropriate. My reason being is I feel this is more a political indoctrination than education. If the true desire is to educate, then other sides of the issue would be presented and not just the side which is highly subjective and necessary to justify the existence of the speaker and their career.

             I also have issue with recycling advocates using public schools as a depository for their propaganda. In my opinion, these people blur the line between recycling and conservation. Most people do not need to be reminded about conservation because it affects them directly because they pay for the resources they use. Anyone remember being told not to leave a door open, or to turn out a light when they leave a room? Too bad the recycling lobby doesn't take a look at what they do and compare it to conservation. They might be surprised at how this activity enlarges the carbon foot print. Isn't this contradictory to their efforts? 

          I have over 10 years of solid waste experience, and in my experience, the only way to effectively reduce and reuse is to start with manufacturing. Allowing manufacturing to continue wasting resources and penalizing citizens with once a week trash pickup in attempt to appease a political agenda is wrong. To enter a public school and teach that plastic bags are damaging our environment, while Fukushima is causing irreversible damage to the Pacific Ocean, and possible long term genetic damage to marine life and humans is irresponsible. If local environmentalists want to effect a change in Laredo, and make a small contribution without addressing the current environmental dilemmas, they could patrol the retails stores and malls watching for Mexican tourists who unpack their purchases and discard the plastic, styrofoam, and paper to be blown across the parking lot and into our city. It is a shame that in the 21st century rhetoric and sophistry pass for knowledge and truth.

As always, I invite and encourage comments, suggestions, and criticism. Please feel free to contact me at darrell.mills@yahoo.com