Environmental criticism

Dec. 22, 2003
I liked the thoughts in the Journally Speaking "Taking the lead" (OGJ, Dec. 1, 2003, p. 15). However, I would have limited the first paragraph following the sidehead "Turning a corner" to the following:

I liked the thoughts in the Journally Speaking "Taking the lead" (OGJ, Dec. 1, 2003, p. 15). However, I would have limited the first paragraph following the sidehead "Turning a corner" to the following:

"While it may not be the kind of activity that will, by itself, change radicals' perspective, it is a constructive and incremental national effort."

I actually believe the [national Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership] is a monumental effort which should turn heads! It is worthy of discussing with any environmental radical precisely due to its series of small, spectacular successes.

Cynicism, while tempting, is a bitter pill with a long aftertaste. I believe it should be avoided in our industry when dealing with environmental issues. We are under scrutiny and have a poor public image for some valid and some invalid reasons.

Letting invalid criticism roll off with a smile seems far more productive than being bitter. And it will help achieve success in redressing those areas we must improve. That is just my view.

But to put it in perspective, you may wish to reread some of the editorial comments published in the Journal when the Exxon Valdez and Alar (apple pesticide) problems surfaced; or remember when the president of Gulf Oil told a US Senate committee he had no need to answer their questions following the first oil crisis; or recall what the two Tulsa refineries and the west bank of the Arkansas River looked like 30 years ago; or think what environmental disasters might have happened if the Alaska pipeline not been delayed and detailed study of arctic conditions made during that hiatus.

As an industry, we have innumerable successes that approach putting a man on the moon or building the space shuttle. And those stories need to be told; however, most people cannot comprehend them. But just let black exhaust come out of an Exxon truck and the "greens" will be on their case.

It is a unilateral "zero tolerance" battle in which we do not set the rules and we need to fight it on those terms, with a smile. Creative national television advertising, with no corporate names but rather visible examples of success in a manner similar to the Oklahoma oil and gas producers' efforts, is one way to transmit the message.
Jerry d'Aquin
Con-Sul Inc.