I’ll try to do better.
I’ll try to do better.
To the Editor:
Confession: I am responsible for our current water crisis.
Over the years, I have developed a personal psychology built around blame and denial. I have blamed governments, corporations, industries, and uncaring individuals for both creating our environmental challenges and refusing to fix them. At the same time, I have denied my own complicity. I have been largely inattentive to the science of climate change. I have frequently voted for elected officials without doing my own due diligence around their positions on environmental issues. I have purchased products from corporations that dump chemicals and nutrients in our waterways. I have not listened well or participated enough with our local clean water advocates. I have complained about algae blooms and red tide when they’re visible, and have been silent when they’re not. I have been too careless when fueling my boats. I have littered. I have used chemicals to kill weeds, and fertilizers to grow vegetation. I have more impervious surface area on my property that I need, and I have cringed at the extent and cost of our new stormwater drainage system. I have not taken enough care to prevent spills when staining and waterproofing my dock. And worst of all, I have always taken clean water for granted.
I am so sorry. I will try to do better.
Dan Hendrickson
Fort Myers Beach