Low score for US in environmental sustainability rating

[Robbien]

The US trails well behind other developed countries in environmental sustainability, according to a report to be released at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

When scored on its sustainability - how well the country performs on maintaining core environmental factors such as clean air, water and habitats for indigenous plants and animals - the US came 45th in the world.

Finland headed the ratings, which included three other Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden and Iceland - in the top five. Uruguay ranked third.

...

The US scored relatively well on water quality and its capacity for environmental protection. But its standing was dragged down by issues such as the quantity of waste generated per person and the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.

In industrialised nations, pollution, consumption of natural resources and generation of waste tend to dominate. In developing countries, the overriding concerns are the depletion of natural resources, such as exhausted soils, and controlling pollution.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e8b94e8e-6f45-11d9-94a8-00000e2511c8.html

[KissMeKate]

1. and were still losing jobs.

the environment vs jobs argument is a false choice.

[yardwork]

2. Note that this ranking is based on our existing policies

When bushco gets through gutting our environmental policies, in process, and have a few years to feel the impact, watch our environmental sustainability go down the toilet.

How low can we go? Pretty darn low.

[Wilms]

3. There's the quote:

Everyone chips in to make it a mess.

"waste generated per person and the amount of greenhouse gases emitted"

I really have no trouble seeing how American consumption patterns are partnered with its economic/political problems, let alone environmental damage.

[struggle4progress]

4. kick

[yobbles77]

5. That's OK

Once the world gets too polluted, God will wave his magic wand and clean the Earth for us.

Protecting the environment is for wimps!
Damn hippies!


:silly: