Grizzly bear numbers are in rapid decline in Alberta thanks, in part, to ATV trails opening up in the hinterlands.A report released by a coalition of seven environmental groups entitled 'A Grizzly Challenge' argues that "human-caused mortality thresholds are too high, there’s not enough habitat being protected, and there are too many roads running through bear country."
This article got me thinking about some men and their love of muscle machines: the bigger, more powerful, and noisier the better: All Terrain Vehicles, Jet Skis, Snowmobiles, Power boats, motorcycles, muscle trucks and SUV's,... These machines like to go to the hinterlands, the frontier, to exploit their rugged horsepower potential.
When taken separately the impact does not seem too significant, but when mounted together...what toll do these machines have on the environment and our attitude toward the finite resources of our world?
For example, I like to go cross country skiing, biking, kayaking, canoeing, and going for a brisk walk. The mechanized alternatives really are unsettling especially when they are unleashed in some of the last pristine places in the world or in domains where natural silence is most invited.
Will we ever be able to live within an ethic that more is less, and less is more?
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. ~ Albert Einstein
Perhaps simplicity is one of the ultimate goals for survival.
