Understanding the Ethicality of Eco-Sabotage in Edward Abbey's 'The Monkey Wrench Gang'
After reading the Monkey Wrench Gang, by Edward Abbey, I find myself questioning the moral and philosophical aspects of eco-sabotage. Is it right? Is it helping? I find myself unclear on where I stand on the issue. If it were me, would I be out there on the front lines? Or would I fall back, and stand by the safety of everyday life? I find myself thinking that I would be out there, but I wouldn’t follow the example of those in the book. To me, they didn’t have their reasoning, or their strategies quite set in line. So, I believe that eco-saboteurs have the general idea, but they need to revise their tactics.
Now, I will admit, in reality, most eco-saboteurs are out their fighting for the right reasons. Urban Dictionary defines them as eco-warriors; people who are fighting for the greater good, even illegally. People who will quietly and quickly strike against the government, slowing down the destruction of this world with simple things, like sugar and Karo syrup. They find ways of spreading the message: there’s only one Earth, and this is the life I’m in. I’m going to protect it, no matter what you say. Watch me.
Are we running out of time? they say. How soon until the earth falls out of balance until life ceases to exist? The facts are clear, and they're saying: not very long. We're letting glaciers melt, gas burn, and rainforests be destroyed.
Rainforests are something often associated with conservation. Save the Rainforest! Earth First!, a well-known environmental defense [aka: ecosaboteur] group, has a history with this particular area. On one particular peaceful attack against Brazil's deforestation, this was written: "There was evidence, denied by Earth First!, of traditional monkey-wrenching tactics..." (Google Books).
And so many things fall down the tubes when the rainforests go. For one, rainforest deforestation is often cited as being a major cause of the greenhouse effect. It's because these old, majestic trees that are being destroyed can't create
Now, I will admit, in reality, most eco-saboteurs are out their fighting for the right reasons. Urban Dictionary defines them as eco-warriors; people who are fighting for the greater good, even illegally. People who will quietly and quickly strike against the government, slowing down the destruction of this world with simple things, like sugar and Karo syrup. They find ways of spreading the message: there’s only one Earth, and this is the life I’m in. I’m going to protect it, no matter what you say. Watch me.
Are we running out of time? they say. How soon until the earth falls out of balance until life ceases to exist? The facts are clear, and they're saying: not very long. We're letting glaciers melt, gas burn, and rainforests be destroyed.
Rainforests are something often associated with conservation. Save the Rainforest! Earth First!, a well-known environmental defense [aka: ecosaboteur] group, has a history with this particular area. On one particular peaceful attack against Brazil's deforestation, this was written: "There was evidence, denied by Earth First!, of traditional monkey-wrenching tactics..." (Google Books).
And so many things fall down the tubes when the rainforests go. For one, rainforest deforestation is often cited as being a major cause of the greenhouse effect. It's because these old, majestic trees that are being destroyed can't create