The Arbitrary Nature of Saving Nature
Let’s stop scapegoating when fighting climate change
A semi-viral meme on social media shows a photo of a deer crossing a forest road. “Things are often not what they seem”, the meme says, and then: “This isn’t a deer crossing a road. This is a road crossing the forest”.
I did a little research about this deer and found some interesting details. His name is Marvin. Ten minutes before the picture was taken, Marvin had been strolling a mile away from there, deep in the murky forest, and wreaked sheer havoc.
His victims included Jacinda, the mayor of an ant colony, and 329 of its inhabitants; Donnie and Mike, ladybug twins; three webs that Boris, a spider, was about to insure the very next day; and countless earthworms, fungi and ferns.
Savvy readers already understand what I’m getting at. If said savvy readers happen to see themselves as environmentalists, they must already be writing this story off as the (extremely well-written) ramblings of a MAGA climate-change denier. But bear with me: I’m a staunch environmentalist myself, I love deer and all other creatures, and I wish less forest were disturbed for the sake of roads. So what’s my hitherto confused message all about?
