In today's society we are constantly wound up in new technology, bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger hamburgers, and even bigger egos. The other side of this issue is fighting for more fuel efficient transportation, eco-friendly houses, organic living, and sustainable energies. I strongly believe in the latter of this distinct dichotomy, but I also believe there is still a vital component missing from a large proportion of people fighting for this cause - the land ethic.

Most environmentalists and conservationists are, in a broad sense, fighting for this idea, but many lack a basic understanding of this key concept. I feel as though as more people become aware of this "green revolution" through friends, media, and basic popularity, the origins of this fight are failing to reach the many young people joining this cause. And it is in fact the message embedded within this origin that will hold the strongest and purest message that we are all trying so diligently to convey to so many people.

Rooted in the brilliant mind of Aldo Leopold, the land ethic strives to develop a greater understanding of our role in the biotic community. We are, after all, attempting to revert our environmentally naive society to one that will create a softer footprint on our land. An understanding of our place on this earth is thus essential to shifting our old habits to new actions. The land ethic essentially places humans from a role that pursues only the growth of humans to one that places humans as a simple entity of the biotic community.

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. " -Aldo Leopold

As we continue to fight for a more sustainable lifestyle and existence, we must always keep our original goal in mind. Only then can we successfully pursue, persuade, and achieve what we so badly need.

Clay Wilton