US Takes Lead in Trashing Planet

[chlamor]

US takes the lead in trashing planet

by Derrick Z. Jackson

FOR MORE than four years, President Bush has told us he needs to see the ''sound science" on global warming before joining the rest of the world in combating it. In June 2001, he brushed off criticism of his pullout from the Kyoto Protocol, saying: ''It was not based upon science. The stated mandates in the Kyoto treaty would affect our economy in a negative way."

<snip>

Now comes a new study, by a bureaucracy representing just about the whole planet. It is the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, commissioned by the United Nations in 2000 at a cost of $24 million and compiled by 1,360 experts from 95 countries. It is the latest in dire reports as to how we are doing the planet in and, implicitly, how the United States puts its interests and pollution over the welfare of the rest of the planet.

<snip>

Those conversions, aggravated by the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, have led to 10 to 30 percent of mammal, bird, and amphibian species facing the threat of extinction. Highlights of what we have already lost in the last 50 years include: 20 percent of the world's coral reefs, with another 20 percent seriously degraded, and 35 percent of the world's mangroves.

<snip>

That precisely describes the United States. We consume a quarter of the world's energy, are the world's leading contributor to the greenhouse gases of global warming, and take advantage of agriculture in all parts of the world so we can have fresh peaches, peppers, and berries 365 days a year if we wish. Not surprisingly, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment has been out for two weeks and there has not been a peep out of the administration on it -- the same administration that needed no sound science on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

http://www.energybulletin.net/5322.html


To read Millenium Ecosystems Assessment Report go to : http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/index.aspx

[TheModernTerrorist]

1. w00t! Raise da' ROOF!

cuz we're gonna need more room to keep all this pollution. Let me be the first to congratulate the USA for being #1 again </sarcasm>

[rodeodance]

2. not a peep out of the Administration--no surprize but disgusting!!

[rodeodance]

4. and now Wolfie is at the helm!! --all downhill folks!

.... The World Bank has been in the news for other reasons, being so important to Bush that he had the right-wing defense hawk Paul Wolfowitz installed as president. It will be interesting, once Wolfowitz -- hardly known for his caring about birds, insects, and Iraqi civilians -- is fully in power, how much more Watson and the World Bank will speak out about how we are doing ourselves in. Watson speaks for 1,360 experts from 95 countries. It's only a matter of time before we hear Wolfowitz saying, ''I read the report put out by the bureaucracy."......

[blogbear]

3. I doubt this administration can spell the word science much less

define it..

[TahitiNut]

5. Hey! If they want any 'science' they'll hire it.

:eyes: (I heard that crap all the time from ditto-headed biznizmen.)


- TahitiNut
Formerly: Senior Research Scientist for DOE
(At least that's what my bizniz card said.)

[blogbear]

6. No doubt..Real high flyers..Reminds Me of JR and Dallas..

[redqueen]

16. I don't know how you avoided going batty...

kudos to you for your strength.

[marmar]

7. The Texan who claims to president...

Can't even spell science, let alone know what the hell it is. This administration destroys everything it gets its hands on and doesn't give a damn if there are any natural resources left once they've come and gone.

:rant:

[Selteri]

8. This just in from the White House on the report! (Joke)

The United States is very happy to hear that it has been ranked #1 where it belongs. We will endevor to continue our destruction of the planet, ecosystem and all other actions we have taken for your health, long life and economic security.

George W Bush's only comment was "I'm so honored to have been able to do Gods will in destroying the planet to hasten the return of our lard and savor... I mean Lord and Sever... err, Jesus!"

Big Brother consented to a reare interview, Big Brother had this to say, "Everything is well citizens, continue to take your medications. Be happy citizens, happyness is manditory."

[GHOSTDANCER]

9. Why aren't weapons tests ever considered a reason for global warming?

particularly the erosion of the ozone?


Maybe these same weapons will be the ones used by others to slap our pudgy little hands away from the cookie jar.

[chlamor]

15. Environmental Impacts of US Military

Superfund Legacy
"The environmental impacts of the military and military contractors are extreme," says Steve Taylor, national organizer for the Military Toxics Project in Lewiston, Maine. "They're working with toxic materials."

In addition to toxic solvents and metals commonly used in the civilian manufacturing industries, Taylor notes that defense contractors use radioactive material, such as depleted uranium, and explosive compounds and propellants.

"Yet public debates about the military almost invariably focus on the need for a strong defense," he says. "There's generally almost no discussion of the costs, including the impact on the health and environment of surrounding communities."

Environmental contamination from defense hardware manufacturing dots the U.S. landscape. While much of the contamination occurred before Congress enacted landmark environmental statutes, the pollution continued after those laws were passed.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2003/03jan-feb/jan-feb03corp4.html

[Moderator]

19. chlamor

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[chlamor]

10. 10 Most endangered waterways

Ten Most Endangered Waterways

* Santee river Enormous hydropower dam is draining South Carolina's "forgotten river." State regulators must stop it drying out completely.

* Little Miami river Risks being pumped full of waste and chemicals from proposed sewage plants and local construction work.

* Tuolumne river San Francisco authorities plan a pipeline that could increase the water it drains from the Tuolumne by 70 per cent. Salmon and steel industries and nature resorts are at risk.

* Price river Authorities in Central Utah are under pressure to build a new dam and reservoir to divert water from Price River communities and pipe it to others.

* Santa Clara river Southern California's developers are planning on transforming the land surrounding its last significant river into shopping malls and plush new homes.

* Susquehanna river Enormous volumes of raw sewage discharged into the river threaten Chesapeake Bay, where the river meets the sea.

* McCrystal creek The New Mexico creek and the surrounding mountain area, Valle Vidal, face the prospect of intrusive coal bed methane drilling.

* Fraser river The Denver Water Board has been siphoning off 65 per cent of the river's water for years, but it plans to take even more - leaving it it with almost nothing but effluent from local sewage plants.

* Skykomish river Runaway development threatens to foul the clear waters of the Skykomish river, known for its rural quality of life.

* Roan creek Extensive dairy farming could mean manure sullying the creek.

[Mizmoon]

11. USA! USA! USA!

WE'RE NUMBER ONE AT WRECKING THE WORLD!

:woohoo:

[chlamor]

14. All but US accept Kyoto Protocol

All industrial nations except the USA accept it
73 countries have become signatories to this pact . Nearly all countries have ratified the pact including Japan and all 15 European Union states. In 2001 the United States provoked widespread international criticism by rejecting the Kyoto protocol as soon as President Bush was inaugurated.

"George W Bush has ... walked away from his international obligations, tearing up international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol and ABM treaty, which, however imperfect, have helped bring peace and environmental protection. The least we can say is that he has embarked on a dangerous journey. Why?

The answer is corporate payback. This has been the defining trait of President Bush's administration. His election was a straightforward capitalist venture for the energy corporations. Oil, gas, coal and nuclear companies are the power behind Bush; together, they donated more than $50 million dollars to put him in the White House. As soon as he was elected, it was payback time and Bush declared the Kyoto Protocol on reducing carbon-dioxide emissions dead and buried.

The message was: 'US corporations have the right to pollute the entire planet. The people and the environment don't matter.'"

http://www.vexen.co.uk/USA/pollution.html

[ucmike]

12. USA!! USA!!! WE'RE #1!!!! WE'RE #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank god we have such a strong enviromental president. (i have actually heard real people say that)

[chlamor]

13. More on US Pollution

USA is the world's biggest polluter
Widely known as the world's largest polluter, America has recently not backed pollution treaties to reduce car emissions or petrol consumption. The US alone accounted for 36.1% of worldwide greenhouse emissions in 1990 .

Carbon Dioxide Emissions of the three biggest polluters: (BBC Display of this information)

The USA
EU Countries
China
Total

Population of world:
4.6%
6.3%
21%
31.9%

World economy:
30%
23%
3.2%
56.2%

CO2 Emissions:
24%
14%
13%
51%

China and the EU, both lesser polluters than the US, have one thing in common: They are both committed to further reducing their rate of emissions. Despite economic growth China has cut emissions by 17% since the mid 1990s. The odd one out is the USA. Immensely richer than China, but with less population than Europe, it emits more harmful chemicals than both of them. In addition, it has so far stubbornly refused to endorse international protocols designed to reduce such emissions. The world looks on flabbergasted as the world's greatest polluter cares not to take care or responsibility in the face of international pressure.

http://www.vexen.co.uk/USA/pollution.html

[GOPBasher]

17. That's because global warming is not "sound science," but apparently,

the missle defence system totally is sound science -- despite the fact that no scientist who won't directly benefit from it says it can't work.

[redqueen]

18. So depressing...

Most people are so enamored with the consumerist mindset they won't even think about changing their ways. If the government won't force people to recycle, won't force companies to reduce packaging, etc... the vast majority won't do it on their own.

Too bad profits are all that matters to most in power.