U.S.: Killing the Earth?

I think right now the U.S. does play a big role in the environmental crisis, but the biggest issue is whether "booming" countries like China and India are willing to hinder economic growth, and in turn, help reduce carbon emissions. If this happens, more pressure will be put on the US to do the same.

In addition to loving Derrick Shore I am loving the CJ specials. Hope there's more to come in 09. Keep it folksy, folks.

its not just u.s. it every one! but its not like we are not to blame. and if so we should be the cure and not the syntom!!

i think in last few decades CHINA has been a major contributor a lot of that.

but overall it is a combination of everyone not doing their part on the world stage.

So, uh, what's new?

Kinda... but there are still others contributing. We should still focus on ourselves first, then the others when we're done fixing our own problems (as in with our enviromental issues and stuff)

EDIT:: So they can't complain about us bossing them around for what they're not doing. We don't have to completely finish fixing our problems to start complaining about theirs though. We could start complaining to them about what they need to fix while we're fixing our issues, but they're not going to start taking action unless we actually start because they'll see us as hippocrates, thus our word would be meaningless to them.

capitalism's polluting the world away... not just the US, everyone's working together on that better than they work together on anything ...

I personally believe in living greener.

However, it costs big bucks and most cannot afford it.

My 18.5 SEER Air Conditioner costs @ 10,000.00

The vinyl clad windows cost over $6,000.00

All appliances in my home are energy star, not bargain basement.

Insulation R-Value is about 800 sq ft per ton A/C capacity.

Yes, let's go green, but be prepared to pay for it!!

No more 20" rims on the accord, or x boxes oe we's, but fluorescent or natural light.

Carry your own bag for groceries, don't get plastic.

Everything costs and technology for green is extremely unaffordable because most people won't buy it!! I know I sell it and work in that field some...

It's amazing that now-2008 the "earth" is one of the biggest issues on the plate of politicians.In 1962 the year I was born the issues from what I have read and been told were for Cuban missiles, warfare, and other foreign policy's. Who could reach the Moon first. Who could be the country with the biggest military, and on, and on, and on.Back in the 80's the issue of "GLOBAL WARMING"hit the market yet not one politician cared.We now can feel the effects and can see the effects, so I guess we should now reverse it.This country needs to forsee into the future more and stop now what will effect us later.Do not procrastinate.

someone emailed me a message that described the original charter and goals of the US' Department of Energy.... something about developing alternate sources of energy so that the US would "soon" become independent of imported sources of energy.

about what? 30+ years ago?

total failure.

china's coal deposit FIRES emit as much or more CO2 than 'most everything we do in the US that emits CO2.

mining, burning and disposing of coal generates more RADIOACTIVE WASTE than all of our nuclear plants, yet everyone opposes nuclear plants. Thanks, Jane Fonda and "The China Syndrome."

and you think i'm pessimistic when i predict that the next US Administration is unlikely to make a big difference? feh!

@rrawtry hits it damned close... if you want to see improvements, go out and buy something that MAKES a difference and kwitcherbitching. all of the "i want it now's" mean crap if you won't BUY a more efficient HVAC unit for your home [i did two years ago], buy a more fuel efficient car [i did nearly five years ago] and use less power [i've been switching to CFLs for about 20 years, and now i'm moving towards LED lighting.]

put up or shut up, and quit waiting for mommy to do it for you.

you rock, rr!

McCain is crazy to promote nuclear power. It is expensive, the waste is nasty AND it's a limited resource.

We have no time for such folly.

It is time to repower America by cutting energy waste, investing heavily in wind and solar, and modernizing our national power grid (connecting where clean, carbon-free energy is made to where it is used).

Obama is on the right path, but he, and McCain, need to give up on "clean coal." It's science fiction. Wind and solar are here, now.

@PolicyWonk.... in that case you won't find ANYTHING agreeable about THIS article, will you?.....

http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columns/story/1271326.html

McCain - Nuclear - budget unknown
Obama - Green - budget 150bn
Bank Bailout - cost 700bn and counting.
War fund - cost 600bn

Does anyone see misplaced priorities here?

Now here`s a chance for the high tech enviromentalist to develope state of the art living and use it, affordably.

Once proven, sell it to the aspiring nations in a trade encouragement basis.

Some points here to think about. There is no such a thing as clean coal. Wind power creates acoustic hums in the air affecting the personal health of the people so it needs to be faraway from the residential neighborhoods. No else, if you really want to be green, go solar!

WHILE YOURE ALL HUGGING TREES THE MUSLIM RADICALS ARE PLOTTING TO KILL EVERYONE ON EARTH. THIER NUMBERS ARE GROWING FASTER THAN ANY OZONE HOLE. ISLAM IS A GLOBAL CRISIS!
CHECK OUT NO BALLADS' "KILL ALLAH" ON YOUTUBE

Heh, are US Citizens really making themselves this question? hehe... of course you are. Specially since you invented the "American Muscle" cars that eats the gas amount of 4 cars.

Petarro, good comment. However, the same attitude prevails in Europe. There are plenty of buyers with more money than sense.

Why is the USA blamed for everything? Yes we contribute but think about many other INDUSTRIAL countries like China, Russia, and many parts of the world. We need to clean it up together and stop the USA self hatred!

Petarro. It is so. The UK is an overcrowded little island, with a population of only 60,000,000. The rise on rise of the sale of gas guzzlers has to be seen to be believed.

anyone who "blames everyone" for "everything" is just ignorant, uneducated or just plain brain dead. Every issue on the planet can be connected to MANY sources. But, no, its so easy to "blame the USA". People across the world have been jealous of our accomplishments but I agree that we have brought that on by our "chest-beating, chanting USA constantly , in-your-face attitudes". We need to back off the arrogance and put on a humble, grateful face and be a real leader for the free world. People will be less resentful

What ever happened to love of country, loyalty, etc.? Put your efforts toward promoting the country's leadership in new, advanced technologies. You think Russia or China give two craps about changing technology at this point?
Be an Ameri-can not an Ameri-can't.