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Environmental action has consequences

Mr.
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Mr. Giesinger's letter referring to the man/bear encounter in the Forest of the World shows he believes in the dogma of environmentalism that only humans will encroach into the habitat of other species, indicating that no other species would commit such crimes against nature. The truth, even though it is deemed offensive in today's society, as it will trample on someone's belief, in this instance the truth is that every species that has been or ever will be will encroach into another's habitat in its struggle to survive.

There are those who do not accept this truth and will do whatever is necessary to prevent this evolutionary practice, regardless of the damage to the natural environment.

At the height of the protests against the Northern Gateway and the ensuing tanker traffic the David Suzuki Foundation stated they would have the humpback whale declared an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act of Canada, but did not explain the consequences of using this act.

Once imposed the government is responsible for the habitat and the endangered species and must respond to any threat to this animal and its habitat.

Orcas (killer whales) could now be hunted and killed as they pose threat primarily to the calves as part of their food chain. Seals would have to go as they are a food source attracting killer whales in this restricted habitat and this is just the start.

You may believe this could not happen, I can assure you it can as it did with the Spotted Owl Recovery Program, advocated for by David Suzuki and the Suzuki Foundation.

We are now removing (politically correct terminology for killing) every barred and horned owl that encroached into the lower one fifth of the province that is now considered to be the exclusive habitat of the spotted owl.

In a letter from then Minister Pat Bell over my concerns for this placing of environmentalism over the natural environment which allows more adaptable species to encroach into the habitat of other species even to the point of extinction of said species he assured me that this (removal) was being carried out under and complete compliance with the Species at Risk Act of Canada.

There are those that seek to blame the human species for everything they consider to be unnatural or against the environment such as the use of fossil fuels, mining, logging, agriculture, etc. without realizing that using and developing these resources is natural to us as a species.

The truth even as it appears to be rejected by these self-interest organizations is that the human species evolved on this planet. We are just another animal trying to survive through evolving and adaptation even at the expense of other species just as every other species does. We are part of the natural environment, neither good nor bad. We are a product of nature.

Larry Barnes, Prince George