Post by John Durant on Apr 15, 2007 13:04:36 GMT -5
I was having a friendly discussion with a friend of mine last night about global warming and other environmental issues, and I hope to initiate discussions on this board that might shed some light on these issues.
I guess my position on global warming can best be described "open to debate" from both sides of the issue. I don't think anyone can argue against the reality that the activities of mankind have a significant effect on our environment. Whether we're talking about pollution, conservation, global warming or overpopulation, I think we need to open our eyes to the reality that mankind needs to change its behavior so that this planet can actually sustain life outside of a biosphere in a hundred years or so.
I come from Niagara Falls New York, where the land, water and air have been poisoned because of the irresponsible actions of big industry, chemical companies, and the U.S. government. The following are just a few examples of irresponsible actions which have destroyed the lives of many folks in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area.
1) Hazardous waste dumping in Love Canal and other populated areas causing various health issues and birth defects.
2) The storage of Manhattan Project Nuclear Waste by the U.S. government on a site on River Road in Tonawanda, NY that has caused a large number of brain tumors.
3) The intentional release of asbestos from smokestacks into populated neighborhoods of North Tonawanda, NY by Durez (chemical manufacturer) caused many cases of cancer and asbestoses.
4) Mercury poisoning in large game fish in Lake Ontario due to hazardous chemical dumping by big industry; fish can be caught but not eaten. Most waters in New York State limit fish consumption from state waters to one meal per month because of hazardous pollutants in the water. (And residents of NYS are drinking this water!)
These are only a few of many cases of irresponsible behavior that have caused irreversible damage to people's lives and to the environment in my former hometown. People run around this country screaming about the threat of terrorism, but I'd be willing to bet that more will die from the irresponsible release of hazardous materials into the environment by US citizens, than by attacks from Muslim Extremists.
Anyone who thinks that this can't happen in your backyard is only kidding themselves. We need extensive oversight by the EPA and from private environmental watch groups to stop greedy selfish money mongering scumbags from destroying our lives while they line their pockets with gold! Most of these A-holes don't live where they dump, and couldn't care less whether your children are left motherless at a very young age due to cancer caused by criminal release of hazardous materials into your backyard!
Greedy people need regulations because they don't know how to regulate themselves. Letting these people go unchecked is like hiring a recovering alcoholic to manage a liquor store! Environmental regulations need to be strictly enforced, and the fines need to amount to more than just a minor slap on the wrist.
I constantly hear people say how much they hate those Liberal Environmentalists and "Tree Huggers". People who hate environmentalists are like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand. Hopefully, for their sake, that sand won't be contaminated with hazardous chemical waste!
Respect the environment. Leave a world behind that is better than the one you were born into!
"Respect the Environment"
written by John Durant
copyright 2007 by John Durant
I guess my position on global warming can best be described "open to debate" from both sides of the issue. I don't think anyone can argue against the reality that the activities of mankind have a significant effect on our environment. Whether we're talking about pollution, conservation, global warming or overpopulation, I think we need to open our eyes to the reality that mankind needs to change its behavior so that this planet can actually sustain life outside of a biosphere in a hundred years or so.
I come from Niagara Falls New York, where the land, water and air have been poisoned because of the irresponsible actions of big industry, chemical companies, and the U.S. government. The following are just a few examples of irresponsible actions which have destroyed the lives of many folks in the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area.
1) Hazardous waste dumping in Love Canal and other populated areas causing various health issues and birth defects.
2) The storage of Manhattan Project Nuclear Waste by the U.S. government on a site on River Road in Tonawanda, NY that has caused a large number of brain tumors.
3) The intentional release of asbestos from smokestacks into populated neighborhoods of North Tonawanda, NY by Durez (chemical manufacturer) caused many cases of cancer and asbestoses.
4) Mercury poisoning in large game fish in Lake Ontario due to hazardous chemical dumping by big industry; fish can be caught but not eaten. Most waters in New York State limit fish consumption from state waters to one meal per month because of hazardous pollutants in the water. (And residents of NYS are drinking this water!)
These are only a few of many cases of irresponsible behavior that have caused irreversible damage to people's lives and to the environment in my former hometown. People run around this country screaming about the threat of terrorism, but I'd be willing to bet that more will die from the irresponsible release of hazardous materials into the environment by US citizens, than by attacks from Muslim Extremists.
Anyone who thinks that this can't happen in your backyard is only kidding themselves. We need extensive oversight by the EPA and from private environmental watch groups to stop greedy selfish money mongering scumbags from destroying our lives while they line their pockets with gold! Most of these A-holes don't live where they dump, and couldn't care less whether your children are left motherless at a very young age due to cancer caused by criminal release of hazardous materials into your backyard!
Greedy people need regulations because they don't know how to regulate themselves. Letting these people go unchecked is like hiring a recovering alcoholic to manage a liquor store! Environmental regulations need to be strictly enforced, and the fines need to amount to more than just a minor slap on the wrist.
I constantly hear people say how much they hate those Liberal Environmentalists and "Tree Huggers". People who hate environmentalists are like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand. Hopefully, for their sake, that sand won't be contaminated with hazardous chemical waste!
Respect the environment. Leave a world behind that is better than the one you were born into!
"Respect the Environment"
written by John Durant
copyright 2007 by John Durant