Homestead mailing list

[Bill Jones <billj AT harborside.com>]

VAN DELL JORDAN wrote:

> If there is nothing to eat the insects life will soon
> become unbearable, or do you propose bringinb back
> DDT?
>  
Of course animals are valuable to us in lots of ways.  I meant that the 
basic pattern of plant growth on earth, the major thing that provides us 
oxygen and makes it a nice place to live, does not depend on any land 
animals.  For millions of years, there were land plants but no large 
land animals.  Plants have various ways to get the things they need 
without animals.  And even if they did "need" large animals to exhale on 
them and poop around their roots, it's doubtful they could distinguish 
which species of animal was doing it.

> Why isn't peoples need to see animals sufficiant
> reason for conservation?
>  
I think the same ethical arguments apply as in everyday life.  If I can 
help some critter, without going too much out of my way to do so, then I 
should.  But if the many are harmed in a tangible way to sate what is 
really an emotional need for the few, then not.

Bill
S. Oregon coast