The Puget Sound is in serious danger. Pollution has wreaked horrible consequences on this majestic waterway. For example, 92% of wild salmon runs are no more, and several stocks of other species are collapsing as well. Why is the Puget Sound in danger? Ask an expert.

Take it from William Dietrich. He published an article in the Seattle Times yesterday. It's about this very subject. It's very well written and it's titled: "Puget Sound: One man's indictment, love poem and call to arms", here's a link: seattletimes.nwsource.com/

I will, however, continue my own editorial comment. I mean seriously, what if human society continues to abuse the ecological systems that are necessary for our quality of life? It is apparent that human society will impoverish itself at this rate, and how sad it is! But it doesn't need to be this way!

Human society is suffering. The environment is suffering. What are the biggest threats to human and ecological health? - I name orporate aggression, corporate greed, and industrial pollution. The problem is that the costs of doing business, of industrial expansion and development have been externalized and the burden has been placed on future generations. The success and wealth that we currently enjoy will be paid for by future generations, unless a major shift takes place - before it's too late.

The once pristine Puget Sound, is suffering. I can't even swim in the water without risking irritation or poisoning. This is just plain wrong. What are the primary culprits? How can we do better? Please read the William Dietrich article linked above.

Another question from the article that appealed to me is the image of current pollution and ecological damage extrapolated into the future... The consequences of current industrial practices have the potential to do tremendous damage, damage on the order of what the Puget Sound has suffered - even to the most massive biological systems of the world's oceans. Imagine 92% of the world ocean's wild fish stocks decimated. Well, it's no small matter. This is the reality that we face as we hurl toward the second decade of the 21st century.

I say that it is exactly the right time to begin the transformation, the "shift" from an industrial growth society to a life-sustaining society (ref: Joanna Macy's "Great Turning").