Who knows why colony collapse disorder is affecting the bees, but in their industrious organization, bees look a lot like us.
In comparison, the correlation between our struggle for the last oil on the planet (our honey?), global warming, and how the US panders to oil-producing despots-- deforming our own democratic principles--begins to delineate the beginnings of our own colony collapse disorder.
Living in Miami as we do, it is discouraging to read in the Miami Herald about Stuart Miller, CEO of the area’s largest publicly held corporation and one of the largest production home builders in the United States, dismiss the responsibility of his corporation to adapt to pressing environment concerns.
In the same Herald report noting how Lennar quickly rejected a recent shareholder proposal for environmental accountability, the Herald quoted John Burford, senior vice president of International Bank in Miami. “Burford, who provides economic commentary to the U.S. Federal Reserve, also said he wouldn't advise any business to take action addressing global warming if it brings added costs. 'For business, it's way too premature to do anything,' Burford said. 'We don't know if these forecasts are even close. My guess is not much will be done and this story will pass away and be on the back pages in no time.'''
Mr. Burford and his colleagues should listen to the simple powerpoint presentation on climate change by Dr. Hal Wanless, chair of the geology department at the University of Miami.
Dr. Wanless, who gave his presentation yesterday to the Miami Dade County Climate Change Advisory Task Force, notes that scientists—by definition—are skeptics and doubters. That’s their job. According to Dr. Wanless, there are a few scientists who challenge the premise of global warming, but what people need to pay attention to is the vast and overwhelming consensus that global warming is the real deal: a consensus extremely rare in the science community.
This is not tomorrow’s problem. The impacts of global warming will impact our lives, within the span of our generations.
The New York Times editorial page reports today, “On Monday, 11 retired admirals and generals released a detailed 68-page report arguing that climate change could be a “threat multiplier” in already fragile parts of the world… Anthony Zinni, the retired Marine general, made the point elegantly when he said that “we will pay for this one way or another”—either now, to control the emissions of greenhouse gases, or later, in military engagements and ‘human lives’”.
So, back at you: how do you spell, c-o-l-o-n-y c-o-l-l-a-p-s-e d-i-s-o-r-d-e-r?
And why is it that the wealthiest Americans have the most difficulty forming the words?
5 comments:
Maybe cell phones will be the cause of colony collapse disorder in humans....brain tumors... before the global warming will kick in.
Businesses, operating under the function of market forces, are not compelled by moral principles. That's why they won't budge, as long as they think in business terms.
Addressing global warming in the US, in my opinion, is gonna be a tough road ahead. A special issue in Scientific American last year summarized it well: the environmental issue is a lifestyle issue in the US.
It might call for a large social movement to make the necessary changes.
Burford said it is premature for businesses to do anything about global warming policy. Well, according to the article above, they can't build if there is a drought since building is tied to water availability. So maybe it is the time!
I say lets wait till the last tree is going to be cut down, the last bit of oil used, the last lowland coastal areas flooded before we make any rash decisions that might effect the economy.
Last Anon: Sadly, you are right about the government.
Post a Comment