The destruction of our natural
resources and contamination of our food supply continue to occur, largely
because of the extreme difficulty in affixing legal responsibility on those who
continue to treat our environment with reckless abandon. Attempts to prevent
pollution by legislation, economic incentives and friendly persuasion have been
met by lawsuits, personal and industrial denial and long delays--not only in
accepting responsibility, but more importantly, in doing something about
it.
It seems that only when government decides it can afford tax
incentives or production sacrifices is there any initiative for change. Where is
industry’ s and our recognition that protecting mankind’ s great treasure is the
single most important responsibility If ever there will be time for
environmental health professionals to come to the frontlines and provide
leadership to solve environmental problems, that time is now.
We
are being asked, and, in fact, the public is demanding that we take positive
action. It is our responsibility as professionals in environmental health to
make the difference. Yes, the ecologists, the environmental activists and the
conservationists serve to communicate, stimulate thinking and promote behavioral
change. However, it is those of us who are paid to make the decisions to
develop, improve and enforce environmental standards, I submit, who must lead
the charge.
We must recognize that environmental health issues
do not stop at city limits, county lines, state or even federal boundaries. We
can no longer afford to be tunnel-visioned in our approach. We must visualize
issues from every perspective to make the objective decisions. We must express
our views clearly to prevent media distortion and public confusion.
I believe we have a three-part mission for the present. First, we must
continue to press for improvements in the quality of life that people can make
for themselves. Second, we must investigate and understand the link between
environment and health. Third, we must be able to communicate technical
information in a form that citizens can understand. If we can accomplish these
three goals in this decade, maybe we can finally stop environmental degradation,
and not merely hold it back. We will then be able to spend pollution dollars
truly on prevention rather than on bandages. |
