[tastyfreeze]

Instead of unkind words I'll just quote the State Constitution.

Alaska State Constitution Article 8 Section 1

It is the policy of the State to encourage the settlement of its land and the development of its resources by making them available for maximum use consistent with the public interest.

[PhasmaFelis]

That does seem to clearly describe the problem.

[tastyfreeze]

Every state in the union enjoyed the same policy until 1970. Resource development is the base of the economy. We don't maintain our modern way of life without it. We either develop our own resources or pay somebody else for theirs.

[dendrite9]

In Encounters with the Archdruid Charles Park is described as believing that “if copper were to be found under the White House, the White House should be moved.” I've struggled with that idea and gone back and forth on how I stand about it. But the line has stuck with me for years.

[tastyfreeze]

Go look for some mines or other developed resources from 100 years ago. They are not easy to find despite most of them being well documented. I live in a rainforest so things get swallowed by the forest quickly. 100 years here means all exposed wood is nearly gone, iron is a pile of rust and the trees are almost 2 feet across.

Seeing first hand how the environment recovers after disruption tempers the environmental protectionism proclivity. Sure blatant disregard for the environment like dumping barrels of waste in a river is bad. That doesn't mean all resource use and development is.

[cactacea]

Go look for some mines the desert sometime. 100 years here is nothing, wood barely decomposes and iron lasts basically forever.