Ozone Layer 'Sacrificed' to Lift Bush's Re-(s)Election Prospects

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1123-05.htm


snip


His administration is insisting on a sharp increase in spraying of the most
dangerous ozone-destroying chemical still in use, the pesticide methyl bromide,
even though it is due to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol in little more than
a year. And it has threatened that the United States could withdraw from the treaty's
provisions altogether if its demand is not met.

Talks on the unprecedented demand broke down without agreement at the
conference in Nairobi this month as US delegates refused to consider any
compromise. They even rejected a European Union proposal that would have
allowed farmers to use the same amount of the pesticide as at present, even
though this, itself, would violate the spirit of the protocol.

The crisis has come to a head at a particularly embarrassing moment for Tony
Blair, who this week played host to George Bush on the first state visit by a US
President. For three years, the Prime Minister has been quietly attempting to
persuade him to stop trying to kill the Kyoto Protocol, designed to combat global
warming. But now Mr Bush is trying to emasculate what the UN regards as the
most successful international environmental agreement ever made.

It also comes at a critical time for the ozone layer. Scientists had hoped that it
would be beginning to heal by now, but this autumn the ozone hole over Antarctica
was at near-record levels.


snip

it's not just war that can cause mass suffering.

another side effect of methel bromide? It contributes to the 'barren lands" syndrom, where previously fertile earth can no longer support ANY form of life due to excessive pesticide and chemical fertilizer use (kills off beneficial bacteria that promotes plant growth). All this for a few hundred thousand in campaign contributions? :puke: :grr:

that thread like this (that deal with the very survival of every living thing on earth) gets little or no attention. maybe it's too "big an issue" for most people to confront (I've heard this from Dems before), or maybe the repug meme that the ozone layer isn't important or isn't real has successfully permeated our National conciousness. Either way, it's damned disappointing.

You're right, it is too big of an issue. At least, it seems that way. Well, working to get rid of Bush is a major step in the right direction. Has there been a discussion among the candidates on this issue or the Kyoyo agreement in general?

I drive a car, so am part of the problem, but at the same time, I am a major renewable energy advocate. We don't get alternatives for fuel with Bushco.

Wait til we can microwave a pizza just by sticking it out in the noon-day sun! People think that the human race will survive no matter what they read - we shall see.

some type of scientific research break through to stop the pollution effects. But I don't think that's enought because the loss of habitat has no cure. There's only so much space.

If you watch some NG, Discovery shows you'll see some honest/moral scientist report that they and most of their colleagues don't believe the human species will survive much into the future.

I didn't say this, the scientists are saying this.

Some Christian people we got running the GOP and the Shadow Government.

Denial is probably the least publicised of major human motivations. It explains a lot about religion, illness and all sorts of human activity.

This should be everywhere. John McCain, with his serious melanoma should be screaming.

I pick up Mother Jones and start reading about the environment, and how the pentagon isn't cleaning up toxic sites. We are poisoning people in our own country and we don't seem to care.

When MTBE contaminates the water the republicans want to give the companys exemption from law suits.

Reports about global warming are still being disputed.

On and on and on…

What I keep thinking is United States really the best country?
How can this be?
We consume more, we pollute more, we waste more, we bend international law to fit the pResidents whims, is this really the best the world has to offer?

So yes the environment is a huge issue, but with Bush in office there just seem to be so many things going wrong with this country, that the environment doesn't get as much attention as it should.

It wouldn't surprise me if that is part of the plan, you know if people are losing their jobs and we are fighting a war, do you really think they will pay attention to whether the ozone layer is being depleted, or if the drinking water is contaminated?

when storms have the effect of a MOAB and crops stop growing all together. The fundies will just say it's all part of god's plan and they'll wait for the rapture.

Meanwhile, there IS something we can do! Write to your rep about this issue, contact your candidates on it as well. Consider a Prius or other low emissions/ fuel efficient vehicle. "think globally, act locally" really does apply here!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

http://www.coastalpost.com/03/11/05.htm

I posted this a few days ago, and of course it sank like a stone.

ChimpCo is willing to abrogate the Montreal Protocol?

These people are insane. They are FUCKING INSANE.

:kick: a long but worthy read that DOES NOT deserve to drop like a stone. To bad the author hadn't been hiking with Michael Jackson or Paris Hilton. :eyes:

:kick:

we better learn to laugh as the world crumbles around us -
no one should cry that much

AKA all of us.

the height of the day anymore (and if I do, it's only with wearing spf 30). About half the people in my family have had skin cancer. I know it's on the rise just about everywhere.

biggest threat to our world. What infuriates me is that we have known this for more than 25 years. There are substitutes for these pesticides and most will use them if pushed.

But corporate farms just won't do it-too many government subsidies for over use of pesticides and harmful chemical fertilizers. They've even bio-engineered crops to be resistant to Roundup! Of course, none of us really know what consuming foods laden with this stuff will do to us over time (nothing worse than an absent ozone layer, I'm sure)!

can control many insects. Many other ways to control insects that are better for the environment. But we are not talking about river pollution, as bad as that is, but the whether all life survives. Ozone depletion is a huge threat to life.

returning to those methods, and doing quite well for themselves, but the corporate farms won't hear of it because it means turning down all those government handouts.Greed trumps survival and common sense again (and this from the party that "hates" welfare?) :grr:

Strawberries can be grown in many climates, but agri-business seeks total control over food production. Automobile, finance and industrial interests pave farmland for subdivisions, separating consumer from producer to monopolize markets, while singing "We're in the money". :silly:

I can't find a link but it is in this weeks issue, the 500 best albums issue. A scatheing and complete accounting of W's record and record of direct purposeful misconception. The "climate change" thing is part of it.

I would not consider myself and environmentalists (well I recycle and don't litter) but the FACTS that RFK Jr. points out in that article (LONG) are simply amazing.

Be nice if lots of reporters would care about this and bring to the attention of the masses.

The Kind of Pop is suspected of CHILD MOLESTATION!!!

The news channels had video footage of him in HANDCUFFS and showed him walking in SLOW MOTION!!!

Who cares about that silly ol' ozone layer when there's a cable news feeding frenzy to watch?

Jeeesus christ?

is that it's used on strawberries. They put tarps over the fields and inject the gas. Many farmworkers become very ill if they are around it. I remember a bill in Cali that repuired that the farmers post signs to stay away for a certain amount of time and it was opposed by the Farm Bureau. Aaargh. Like I said in an earlier post, these battles have been fought before and we thought we had won. Sigh.

According to the MSDS it's both carcinogenic and mutagenic.

Livingstone, the mayor of London was absolutely right!!

and the growing homnculus that is Bushevik Imperial Amerika.