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Editorial: Editorial: Freedom to Blow the Whistle
June 23rd, 2011

Editorial: Guest Editorial: Never Forget
May 5th, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: "The Most Unforgiving Technology in Human History"
April 23rd, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Rumors
March 20th, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Henry Ford, American Genius
January 21st, 2011

Editorial: Editorial: Remember the Needy in Our Community
December 26th, 2010

Editorial: Guest Editorial: Prunes
November 16th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: How Many Signs Can One Building Support?
November 15th, 2010

Editorial: Accidents Happen? The Dance Begins
September 16th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes
September 2nd, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: Fishing Village Atmosphere?
August 22nd, 2010

Editorial: A New Standard of Arrogance
July 29th, 2010

Editorial: Alzheimer`s Sentence
July 24th, 2010

Editorial: Editorial: When the Elephants Stampede, the Pygmies Get Trampled
June 10th, 2010

Editorial: Oil Spills and Independence
May 26th, 2010

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Editorial: Follow the Money

Editorial: Follow the Money

Editor

Giant Pandas, an endangered species, were in the headlines a few months ago when an earthquake caused landslides in the panda refuge. The entire population of pandas is about 1600. Destruction of suitable habitat is a major cause of a species becoming in danger of extinction, That is true particularly for large mammals where human populations press in on wild areas. Playful, cute pandas have admirers on a world-wide basis; therefore they are recipients of extensive conservation measures.

Beyond habitat destruction, species become endangered by man-made toxicants and economic exploitation. Pelicans, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons and Ospreys are species that were destined for extinction by the use of DDT. Bird populations have recovered due to recognition of the problem and stopping DDT use.

The American Buffalo was near extinction under the double whammy of habitat loss and mindless exploitation by market hunters. Limits on hunting have allowed White-tail Deer to thrive in many areas over the past fifty years. Large mammals and humans can coexist. Conservation efforts have saved the California Sea Otter, Grey Whale and other marine mammals. These species draw tourists and tourist dollars.

The marine habitat would seem to be so vast that it could not be effectively poisoned or over-harvested. Yet respected scientists see carbon dioxide as a threat. Furthermore, the over-harvest of whales, anchovies and cod has proven the limits of even the oceanic resources.

Habitat destruction and over-harvest come from competing economic interests. Which brings us to the recent closure of grouper fishing? The short-term economic interests of both commercial and sports fishing industries are at stake. Locally we see the economic interest of a paper mill in Perry, FL resulting in dumping mill waste into the Gulf of Mexico. So, when the next conservation debate arises, keep in mind whose economic interest is behind the rhetoric.

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