To Hell with Future Generations

The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Pearly Beach Conservancy was held at Klein Paradijs on 19 December. Twenty-three people attended. The Chairperson opened with a quote from a Native American source: “We do not inherit the Earth; we borrow it from future generations.”

The minutes of the previous AGM were approved, and the Chairperson reported on the Conservancy's achievements over the past year. A new committee was elected, and the meeting ended with informal conversation over refreshments. The Chairperson, who, with her husband, owns Klein Paradijs farm, then offered to take interested members on a guided walk. Around a dozen members followed her on a route past a dam and into the mountain fynbos before returning to the homestead.

The hour-and-a-half ramble was informative, the indigenous vegetation was in prime condition, and the view over Pearly Beach to the sea put the whole area into perspective.

Back at home, I reflected on the outing and was struck by two observations. The first was regarding the neighbouring property to the west. A wire fence marked the boundary between low fynbos and a dense forest. Tall Myrtle trees had swallowed up all other vegetation on the adjoining property. The contrast was startling, and I realised again that only through human intervention will the invasion of alien species be kept in check. This is a depressing idea because it means that we have to live with a constant threat from a situation that we created by introducing these plants from Australia over a century ago.

The second thought stemmed from the fact that there had not been a single person under the age of sixty at the meeting. My wife and I were among the founding members of the Pearly Beach Conservation Society back in the mid-1980s. We were in our thirties, and the other members were of a similar age or in their forties. I don’t think there was anyone much older than 60. So, what has changed that younger people appear to have little or no interest in Conservation?

When I consider how disastrous the past 40 years have been for the natural environment, and how bleak the future looks as the effects of Climate Change accelerate, I am puzzled by the apparent apathy on the part of the youth and parents of young children. Are they not capable of imagining the future that lies ahead? Why are they not motivated to do something to slow the process of environmental degradation? Is it out of ignorance, or lethargy, or even despair that they show no interest in supporting their local Conservation group?

After struggling with these questions for a while, I was suddenly struck by a novel consideration. Although I endorse the noble sentiments of the Native American elders and will continue to support the work of the Conservancy, there is no point in worrying about succeeding generations. If young people are too foolish or self-absorbed to care about the future quality of life on this planet, why should I concern myself with their predicament? And, anyway, I won’t be around to face it with them. No, when they and their kids are choking to death in the toxic smoke from an apocalyptic inferno, they will only have themselves to blame.

With that liberating thought, I felt justified in pouring myself a glass of wine and retiring to the stoep to watch the birds and tortoises coming and going, and to enjoy the feeling of relief at having a weight off my mind.

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