Environmental Issues Cannot Be Resolved Unless We Address the Related Human Issues

It was encouraging to read Michael Parrish’s article (“Making It Pay to Conserve,” Oct. 28). It seems that most environmental articles we read today are nothing but a litany of bad news.

At the heart of Parrish’s article was yet another example of how our planet really works: that all actions are truly interconnected. Typically, this oneness is exemplified by citing environmental damage resulting from some economic activity: acid rain, ozone depletion, deforestation, etc.

In this case, we look at the connection between the human desire to survive and the resulting environmental disaster. To ban poaching is one thing, but what of the poacher? Surely he has needs as well. It is lamentable that the poaching takes place, but just as lamentable is our lack of understanding of why he poaches in the first place.

Economic incentives allow us to deal with the whole problem. They allow us to protect both the elephant and the poacher in a way that is respectful of the animal and the man.

NICHOLAS R. RAY, ENCINO