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Thursday, 26 October 2006 |
The
environmental policies of the U.S. government have seriously damaged
our progress toward cleaner air and water, endangered our coastal
populations, and eroded the protection of wilderness areas. Public
resources have been auctioned off and devoted to private wealth
rather than public good. The following steps would make a signficant
positive impact on our environment:
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Clean up government facilities, especially military bases that
create environmental damage.
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A significant threat to Maryland is the developments of
bio-weapons at Fort Detrick in Frederick. See
http://kevinzeese.com/content/view/138/34/
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Citizens should be empowered so that if property owners pollute
they can be held accountable. With property rights come property
responsibilities that must be satisfied.
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Industries must pay the true costs of the damages they cause to
the environment, including remediation so that this cost is not hidden
from consumers or passed on to the taxpayer to correct.
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Update the Clean Water Act to include protection of all ground
water and strengthen the Clean Air Act to restore emissions standards
for power plants to reduce the number of children growing up with
asthma and other respiratory problems.
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Limit the power of the World Trade Organization, so
international corporations cannot undermine environmental laws that
inhibit short-term business gains.
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Stop introducing non-native and invasive plants and animals. To
reduce the damage already done by such species, we should tax their
sales, using the proceeds to restore the native environments as closely
as possible. By restoring native ecosystems, we will allow endangered
species the greatest chance of survival.
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Genetically modified species should not be introduced until we
are certain that no harm will result. Too often they upset the balance
of nature. Consumers should be told in clear labeling if foods are
genetically modified.
The Earth supports many interrelated biological systems that
are currently severely stressed. Stopping the extermination of
species and recovering these biological systems will require
significant changes in government policy. We must act with a sense of
urgency. If we allow global warming to continue, we will push these
biological systems beyond recovery.
We must treat the Earth
and all its diverse life forms with respect.
For more
information see the Sierra
Club Survey
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