Lucas Spelsberg (09/14): Gifford Pinchot

I think that Gifford Pinchot's writing has been eye-opening to me. I always knew that he was considered a founder of the conservation approach to nature, but I had no idea that his thoughts would be so applicable to modern issues. It makes me feel like we have known how to go about sustainably utilizing natural resources for such a long time and yet we have let it get to the point that the damage is about to be irreversible. I think that at this point it has become abundantly clear to many young adults that to preserve many environments we have to maximize our conservation efforts and understand the concept of sustainable yields. Pinchot said it better than I can when he stated "recognition of the right of the present generation to the fullest necessary use of all natural resources" emphasizing that it is important that we should still utilize the natural resources that we need to sustain ourselves, while in my opinion, also incorporate Muir's idea that we need to set aside certain areas to be completely preserved.

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