By Elmer
Whittaker
Like with
everything else in life that can be manipulated with money, so are
environmental studies manipulated to reflect the agendas of the purporting interest
groups. This, as far as the environment is concerned has become a problem of
such magnitude, that not only the layman has become unsure of what to believe
and to know with any kind of certainty what is true or false.
In finding
your personal truth about environmental issues, it is of utmost importance that
you use your own common sense (that you hopefully have), your own analytical
skills and your own logic to accumulate a working knowledge or theory about
environmental issues.
“Climate
Change” is a fact and not a renamed synonym for “Global Warming”. Like
everything else in nature climate undergoes cycles and as we all should know,
change is the only constant in the universe.
“Global Warming” however may be, and most likely is, a contributor to “Climate
Change”.
Of course,
there are now those who claim that instead of “Global Warming” the earth is entering
a period of “Global Cooling”. I cannot confirm this on behave of my own
observations, no matter what the “Global Cooling” lobbyists say.
The argument
of many, especially in the Liberty Movement, that the “Global Warming” agenda
is to increase taxes by charging “carbon dollars” is rather moot. Governments
don’t need such specific reason or occasion to increase taxes but raise the tax
rates alone by the claim that more tax revenue is needed. In either case,
taxation can only go as far or high, until the people revolt. In the end it
matters little what excuse is used for over taxation.
Sustainability
is a concept and not a synonym for “Agenda 21” and burning fossil fuels for
energy, especially for cars and transportation, is simply not sustainable, is
harmful and pollutes the air that we have to breathe. The burning of fossil
fuels is said to contribute to “Global Warming”.
Ages ago the western
world was full of trees and vegetation. That too is no longer true. Forests,
plants and trees have been receding. A prime example is the eco-system of the
Amazon Rain Forest.
Clearly there
are naturally many less plants or trees in the desert than there are in other environments
especially trees. Both, plants and tree absorb CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) while
producing O (Oxygen). Bigger trees naturally absorb more CO2 and create more O
than smaller plants.
A single
mature tree is said to absorb CO2 “Carbon Dioxide” at a rate of 48 lbs. a year
and said to produce 260 lbs. of O (Oxygen) a year, enough O for a family of
two.
Until now, I
have not heard the argument that we in the US or in particular the West Coast
have been planting more trees than we have been using. That too, I would find
very hard to believe.
All in all
one does not have to be a rocket scientist to realize that todays “throw away”
society is not sustainable and that we will have to “clean up” our act and recycle
as much of the garbage we produce as possible.
