The Outer Banks Growth vs Development! Happy Earth Day?

 

Let’s look at some hindsight and look at 100 years ago or even 50 years ago.  Heck I remember the 1970's Outer Banks and looking back well the growth has been enormous.  Have you tried getting over that bridge on a Friday?  And hurricanes keep wiping highway 12 out maybe that should give everyone pause to think about where we live.   At some point we have to self regulate and understand we need the environment more than it needs us.  And that we need the real outer banks the natural outer banks to grow, thrive and flourish.

Long line fishing, herbicide and oil run off we pollute and deplete the very thing that sustains us but you can't eat money.  If you are going to buy into the market system and not be a subsistence farmer/fisherman then you have to adapt to the boom and bust cycle of the market place and mom and pops go in and out of business. 

Better regulation would smooth the transition for the mom and pops affected by environmental foresight.  But real bullies controlling Capitol Hill don't value helping anybody but themselves.  Face it we are all sort of like that.  But if you care about the mom and pops that go out of business as we recalibrate our awareness as to the necessity of sustainability and a healthy environment then vote democrat across the board no matter where you live.  That way the mom and pops can get the assistance they need to transition to a new plan, further education or skill training.  The powers that be helped transition Goldman Sachs and AIG but they don't have dime one to spare for the bait shop owner.  Those are your bullies.  

Do you know how many career changes the average person goes through in current economic system?  Ten!  That a mom and pop has hung on for decades perhaps over expanding, perhaps never changing their business model, perhaps not even having a plan other than hanging a shingle out while the outer banks explodes with development isn't much of a sob story admittedly especially in the face of the greater global good.  But I am sorry for them and that their world has been encroached upon - really I am - who wouldn't want to have a little bait shop that earned you 100K clear?  Maybe the mom and pops should try kayak tours, real estate, insurance or get a medical degree? 

Environmentalists think long term and big picture they aren't bullies or zealots they are people who care and have the foresight to worry about long term sustainability over development.  The environment that feeds us and keeps us healthy is an intricate design each part of it working in harmony to grow but in walks man clear cutting it all to pieces as fast as he can for short term profit and cheap thrills. 

Without governance seeing the big picture and managing the markets we would all be the victims of self immolation except there wouldn't be any point to it other than sheer stupidity, shortsightedness, and greed. 

If I was on City Council down in the Outer Banks I would be in favor of preserving the environment and long term sustainability - would request federal funds since that stance is in everyone's best interest, and help those 20 odd businesses currently affected by new environmental regulations transition to a new line of work, and or relocation. 

In order to sustain the growth in human population 7 billion and counting we need to sustain and enable the growth in the natural world that actually feeds us and drives or economic machine.

Being able to four wheel around now off line beach areas burning fossil fuel for kicks or being able to carry everything in your garage to the beach would not and should not be a governmental concern. 

That all may be fun and convenient and direct a few dollars in a certain way but we can no longer ignore or be lackadaisical about our hugely negative impact on our environment, health and well being.  Natural resources are the building blocks of - everything - in the market place.  We need to grow, preserve and protect our natural resources through time tested natural processes at a much greater rate then we are depleting them.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!