Dear Folks: March 25, 1990
Dear Folks, “Uterus — no evidence of tumor. Adenocarcinoma — no residual tumor.”
Dr. S. came in triumphantly waving the pathology report ten minutes before I checked out of the hospital. I felt like laughing and crying at the same time. I knew the report would say that, but to hear it, finally, actually, after four months of working so hard toward [...]
The Grass Doesn’t Pay the Clouds for the Rain
By Donella Meadows
–March 22, 1990–
“In the current vocabulary of condemnation there are few words as final and conclusive as the word ‘uneconomic’,” wrote E.F. Schumacher in Small is Beautiful. “Call a thing immoral or ugly, soul-destroying or a degradation of man, a peril to the peace of the world or to the well-being of future generations; as long as you [...]
Many Opinions on Whether Wilderness Matters
By Donella Meadows
–January 4, 1990–
How much of the earth’s surface would you guess is still wilderness? According to a Sierra Club survey, about one-third of the earth’s land area can still be called wilderness (defined as at least one million acres upon which there is no road, powerline, airport, dam, or other major human construction). Over 60 percent of this [...]
Bad and Good Environmental Marks for McDonald’s
By Donella Meadows
–November 9, 1989–
McDonald’s, like all fast-food purveyors, is one of the great garbage producers of the world. McDonald’s is also working as hard at reducing its contribution to the garbage problem as any company I know. It’s coming up with all sorts of bright ideas. Some of them are really bright. Some are smokescreens and diversions.
There’s a handy [...]
The Environment, the Capital Gains Tax and the Burden of Proof
By Donella Meadows
–September 21, 1989–
Whenever a large profit-making enterprise in this great nation is told that its activities might not be good for the environment, it calls for proof.
Whenever the government doesn’t want to deal with a problem, environmental or otherwise, it can delay almost indefinitely by demanding proof.
The Reagan administration held up action on acid rain for eight years, [...]
