White house to scupper efforts to tackle Global Warming
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 06.19.05
Documents leaked to the The Observer in preparation for the G8 conference next month show that the US Government has hardened its position in oppositon to any action on global warming. The British Government had proposed sweeping initiatives and every word of it was expunged, including any reference to the fact that climate change is a serious threat to human health and ecosystems; any suggestion that global warming had already started; any suggestion that human activity was to blame for climate change. Read more from ::The Guardian Observer
Read also commentary: "There is nothing left to debate about Climate Change. It is happening and each of us must act." ::The Observer
What else should we have expected? Thinking about the progression of events going forward, in a challenge and response scenario context, imagine if they had "buckled". If the party in power were seen to be caving in to the Brits, and most other nations, US energy companies woprried about market protection could no longer reliably counted upon to make extensive campaign controbutions. It would be a self destructive choice. The only thing that will turn this around, regardless of which party is in power, is for big energy companies to lobby in the opposite direction, and for that to happen, stockholder interests have to speak up loudly. That's the coming nexus.
This is why I want to move out of the U.S.
Then why don't you, Jimmy?
The administration is talking about hydrogen, so apearing that they care about the environment, thought it will come from oil and coal. Oil Co's are starting too talk up alternatives. When they Can't avoid the problems anymore, they will say they have been on top of it from the start. I am waiting for opposing statements to come out, so they cover all bases, and make people who don't pay attention, wonder why people are so concerned.
Personally, I am planing on doing what I can to protect myself, or make it have as little impact as possible. I Don't think the govt is doing much to protect us from terror, so I protect myself. Then I feel safe, or ready for what could come.
Jimmy, and Mart, the grass is always greener on the other side. This is one of the few countries where you can have a positive impact by staying and working, so please do.
Another thing: Since this is a global problem, moving away won't make life any better for you. Stay and help. Your best chance for action is at the local level anyway. Ignore the fact that this administration is in the pocket of the oil lobby. Getting your local government to run pure biodiesel or pure ethanol in their vehicles is a very real way to help pull the rug out from under them, and convert people into treehuggers.
F*ck 'em! Don't buy their oil - its stolen from dead Iraqis anyway and do as much as you can to make other people realise that these idiots are wrong!
In the mean time, act as if your own government has seen the light and be as green and treehuggerish as you can!
The UK government has some good ideas, but it's pretty clueless about other stuff too. If you could see the shocking build quality of new housing estates in Britain today, you'd be horrified. No ideas about "environmental design" whatsoever.