NGOs Challenged to Back Up Their Rhetoric
Brian Czech sent a letter to the top ten environmental NGOs today, and challenged them to a debate on the topic, “Is there a conflict between economic growth and environmental protection?” Recipients included the National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, World Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society and the Izaak Walton League.
Excellent initiative Brian.
I look forward to seeing the debate. If no takers, well then we will know…
There is a difficulty, however. By economic growth we mean GDP, I think. Others might prefer a different definition of the economy. Perhaps the NGO’s might be invited to submit their preferred definition of economic growth as a starting point?
I second that. The UK is the same with environmental organisations arguing that rejecting growth will mean they will be rejected by politicians and corporates. However that just leaves them playing the growth game with only the mitigation card to play. Whereas, rejecting growth for the destructive impacts to the environment that it is, especially with their subscription base behind them, would not only mean seriously challenging the growth narrative but would also create awareness and debate about what people really value.
Amazing idea.