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It is interesting how environmentalism has always had a very lucrative edge to it. Take the Rabbit-proof Fence in WA. Over 3,256 kilometers of fence was built and maintained in the naive belief that it would keep rabbits out of WA.
As a complete failure, we could now look at the Rabbit-proof Fence as a monument to stupidity, and wasted money. Although it is indeed that, perhaps it would be better to look at it as a monument to how environmentmentalists run moralistic campaigns in order to make a career for themselves, and how politicians facilitate that career in order to gain political prestige.
I was fishing in New Zealand on the weekend, and I think I came across another Rabbit-proof Fence. In New Zealand's south Island, there is an algae, originally from northern Europe and America, called Didymo that is slowly spreading in Kiwi waterways. As it can be spread by a single drop of water, it is spreading quite quickly.
To contain the algae, fisherman are issued with bumper stickers saying 'say NO to didymo'. It addition to the catchy slogan is the logo of Biosecurity New Zealand on it. In more promotional literature, fisherman are also given a pen bearing the 'say No to didymo' slogan, and a education brochure bearing the logos of environmental organisations such as the Department of Conversation, Otago Regional Council, environment southerland, and Environment Canterbury. Finally, fishermen are given a spray bottle that should be filled with detergent, so that boots can be given a scrub down when moving from one stream to another.
After being loaded up with all this stuff, the fisherman's obvious response is 'what about Ducks, and other waterbirds? Are they going to say No to Didymo as well?
I asked the lady at the fishing shop about it. She agreed that the whole thing was silly, but then said it is a $100,000 fine for not washing your boots, and left it at that.
The severity of the fine was also interesting for me. To put it into perspective, if you don't declare foodstuffs and bring it into New Zealand, you will be fined $200. However, if you act like a duck you are up for a $100,000 fine! I think the fine probably serves its purpose though. As you walk away with all these stickers, pens, brochures, and a spray bottle, then look to the sky as birds fly around, you can't help by question the absurdity of it all, yet the 100,000 fine is a good way to ensure that those questioning the absurdity give the reaction of the lady in the fishing shop. Yep, another Rabbit-proof Fence.
As a complete failure, we could now look at the Rabbit-proof Fence as a monument to stupidity, and wasted money. Although it is indeed that, perhaps it would be better to look at it as a monument to how environmentmentalists run moralistic campaigns in order to make a career for themselves, and how politicians facilitate that career in order to gain political prestige.
I was fishing in New Zealand on the weekend, and I think I came across another Rabbit-proof Fence. In New Zealand's south Island, there is an algae, originally from northern Europe and America, called Didymo that is slowly spreading in Kiwi waterways. As it can be spread by a single drop of water, it is spreading quite quickly.
To contain the algae, fisherman are issued with bumper stickers saying 'say NO to didymo'. It addition to the catchy slogan is the logo of Biosecurity New Zealand on it. In more promotional literature, fisherman are also given a pen bearing the 'say No to didymo' slogan, and a education brochure bearing the logos of environmental organisations such as the Department of Conversation, Otago Regional Council, environment southerland, and Environment Canterbury. Finally, fishermen are given a spray bottle that should be filled with detergent, so that boots can be given a scrub down when moving from one stream to another.
After being loaded up with all this stuff, the fisherman's obvious response is 'what about Ducks, and other waterbirds? Are they going to say No to Didymo as well?
I asked the lady at the fishing shop about it. She agreed that the whole thing was silly, but then said it is a $100,000 fine for not washing your boots, and left it at that.
The severity of the fine was also interesting for me. To put it into perspective, if you don't declare foodstuffs and bring it into New Zealand, you will be fined $200. However, if you act like a duck you are up for a $100,000 fine! I think the fine probably serves its purpose though. As you walk away with all these stickers, pens, brochures, and a spray bottle, then look to the sky as birds fly around, you can't help by question the absurdity of it all, yet the 100,000 fine is a good way to ensure that those questioning the absurdity give the reaction of the lady in the fishing shop. Yep, another Rabbit-proof Fence.
