Environmental advocates and child advocates are natural allies. In many cases, they are the same individuals. Both want to preserve nature for future generations. Both want clean water, air and land. Both want to prevent the beach from turning into a traffic jam surrounded by strip malls and the mountains from becoming walled-off estate cubicles of asphalt and stucco. It is true some environmentalists view recreational fields and a community center as “development.” It is true some child advocates are building huge mansions. However, both should join hands to insure Malibu has restored wetlands, a clean lagoon and beaches, sufficient ball fields and a community center. We are not driven by mutually exclusive desires nor are we competing for a solitary piece of land.
Therefore, there is no good reason why environmentalists and child advocates should demonize each other. However, there is a very good reason why “pro-development” forces might encourage them to do so: If environmentalists and child advocates cripple each other, they will be too weak to effectively oppose rampant development. As an environmentalist and a PTA president, I know many community activists. I am sure we can all work together towards a beautiful future for Malibu and the creatures who live here.
Deirdre Roney