Cancer. One ugly word, and people understand it. Do they understand the two ugly words carbon footprint? Do they understand that hefty carbon footprints are cancerous? They eat away at the natural world. They kill.
Now the University of Kentucky wants to assault the forest with which it was entrusted, Robinson Forest, with monster stomps and killing footsteps.
UK wants to log 800 acres of the finest intact watersheds on the Cumberland Plateau. The patina of research that UK would like to hide its profit motive behind is ridiculous: "To see the impacts on streams when steep hillsides are logged." These impacts have been well-known for at least 50 years -- it ruins the streams.
Must the forest be ripped up and countless animal and bird habitats and lives lost for profits? Must bulldozers and chainsaws destroy the trees we need for solace, clean air and water? This exquisite forest will become kitty litter, paper napkins and plates -- all thrown away by an institution that ought to know better.
UK could save enormous amounts of money by simply stepping lighter on the Earth: lights and computers turned off when not in use, alternative energy, mandatory recycling, etc. If our learning institutions cannot be shining examples of how to lower our collective carbon footprint, then what hope do we have of stopping this cancer of a warming planet?
Laurie Schimmoeller
Frankfort
