10/12/06: michael3b

"Do you really think that if China and India turn into USA part II and III that the exponential increase in resource consumption and pollution outgassing WONT have any effect on our world?"

Of course it will have an effect.

There's a trend that happens in every country. In the early stages of industrialization, there's a huge amount of pollution. Pollution peaks when a country's per capita GNP reaches about $5,000 (in today's dollars). At that point, people have their basic needs met, and they can afford to start worrying about protecting the environment. And the richer the country gets, the cleaner its air and water get.

China and India are still in the early stages of industrialization. Their pollution is getting worse, and will continue to get worse. But once they become rich enough, their air and water will get cleaner. This is the trend that all countries follow.

"Do you think that our consumption ISNT ruining our planets habitats, that eg air quality isn't diminishing?"

Our air is much cleaner now:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pdupont/?id=110008416

May 23, 2006

Since 1970, the year of the first Earth Day, America's population has increased by 42%, the country's inflation-adjusted gross domestic product has grown 195%, the number of cars and trucks in the United States has more than doubled, and the total number of miles driven has increased by 178%.

But during these 35 years of growing population, employment, and industrial production, the Environmental Protection Agency reports, the environment has substantially improved. Emissions of the six principal air pollutants have decreased by 53%. Carbon monoxide emissions have dropped from 197 million tons per year to 89 million; nitrogen oxides from 27 million tons to 19 million, and sulfur dioxide from 31 million to 15 million. Particulates are down 80%, and lead emissions have declined by more than 98%.

"That simply "planting as myuch as we cut down" equals a zero sum game in terms of biotas? Naysaying those that are looking out for the future by presenting worst-case scenarios puts you right in line with GW and his boys who plan for the best but get the worst (eg Iraq falling and the US finishing up within weeks)."

I do believe in looking out for the future.

I don't believe in irrational hysteria and doomsaying.

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