Will Environmental Justice ever be a National Policy?
340557
More than likely no, right now the only thing that the President is concerned with is the war in Iraq and other such issues, and it is not very high on any other countries to do list either.
711312
its a good question\nit takes time to change culture and tradition and habits.  \nPeople love their cars ! At least  we'll have more hybrid cars in the future.  People need to realize that if everyone does something, overall there will be a lot of improvement.  \nIts important for everyone to ask, what can I do to help?\nEvery bit helps.  \n\nI rode my bike to the local store to shop, I saved gasoline, and saved money, and saved air pollution, and got exercise.\nWe need more infrastructure to support safe cycling paths, not just for recreation in parks, but also for transportation.  \n\nIn the summer, I planted some evergreens in a public park with permission from the parks supervisor.  Evergreens will use up carbon dioxide earlier in the spring and later in the fall when deciduous trees are bare and dormant.  \n\nThings aren't all bad,  Now we recycle like we would never have dreamed of in the 70's and even 80's.
566555
Please check:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_organization
115713
I don't think we need to die out to protect nature.  Why? We're capable of making rational decisions and minimizing our harm.  It's just that we tend to refuse to do anything that inconviences us.  We need more emphasis on sexual education and birth control to stabilize the population, and politicies to mimize pollution and protect the remaining natural environments.
302898
Yees everyone should practice Ahimsa. Do no harm to anything. If more people did then the world would be a much better place. \n\nIf every person not only picked up their own trash but picked up a few extra pieces left by someone else each time it would do wonders.\n\nPeople are not taught to do these things. Integrity is a rare commodity these days. \n\nParents need to teach their children.\n\nAnd to the previous poster YES we can make a difference. We are after all the ones who created the mess so it only stands to reason that we can fix it as well. It is attitudes like that that perpetuate the problem. "Oh forget it we can't do anything so why try?" Thats crazy. You don't have to be a tree hugger to care. Just have some respect. Its not about the earth being able to eradicate the human race and take care of itself it is about quality of life and respect. If people cared more for others and the earth there would be more peace and a much better quality of life for everyone while we are here. Perhaps the earth wouldnt feel the need to eradicate us if we take better care of it and were not a negative influence.
1116228
If the economics work out. And that includes adding on the costs of greenhouse gas emmisions and illnesses caused by other coal pollution.\n\nIf it's a net benefit to soceity of course we should do it.
240913
1.As for the environment -I think people are finally waking up - more and more people are aware and concerned about the environment and realize it is up to us (mankind) to make the changes its not going to just SOLVE itself. -more and more people recycle these days and consume less waste than before but it is still not enough YET -but I believe it is going to get there - We have no choice in the matter but to try. I think recycling should be a WORLD ENFORCED LAW!! - if we are going to see any real improvement for the environment it would start there. And soon  I think cars will be mostly hybrid and there will be less need and someday no need for gasoline -that will change alot for the environment. I am very possitive that it is improving (slowly but surely) -the world has been negative for so long and now its starting to be more possitive - and people are not taking it for granted as much as they used to. \n\n2.As for society -People are starting to realize that life is not meant to be this agonizing, terrible ordeal full of pain and hardships- Life is suppossed to be Wonderful and can be - you have to make it that way - I think people have a stronger awareness of what life is for - to live it to the fullest - we all want the same things - happiness, love, security and freedom - I see the future of the world as being very promising - more and more people turning to spirituality in a broader understanding, more people meditate and have a stronger consiousness of the world around them and how our attitudes and actions reflect the worlds well being- more and more people have EVOLVED by opening there minds to the limitless possibilties this world has to offer inside and out and the power we as humans truely posess - if you think the world is being distroyed than you have a WEAK mind and are participating in destroying it just by thinking that and are following the narrow minded thinking of the masses that put the world in Jeopardy to begin with - man has STUPIDLY manifested this all negitive things to happen -it is time we manifest the world to HEAL and Replinish -I feel I am one of those people who have evolved - If you think it so be it- I beleive one day the world will attain WORLD PEACE- I may not live to see it but I hope My daughter does - if not I KNOW a descendant of mine will .\nI believe John Lennin was a Genius!!\nlisten to the words of the song IMAGINE\nI believe those words to that song will come true some day -I believe he was suppossed to write that song as a message to us of what the WORLD is intended to be!!! \nOPEN YOUR MINDS people dont dwell in the dark ages any longer -its just ignorant - try to use more than ten percent of your brain -the SAKE of the WORLD depends on it!!! -Think about it (think about it with more than 10% !!! ) God made us to be smarter than that it time we use it!!!
825211
I completely agree, except for the speculation that the environment might not get taken care of, simply based on the fact that there has been little done to help the environment all along.\nWith that said, I do feel Christians are living out a self fulfilling prophecy, as it is in human nature to create that which is most thought about. I do think it is an unfortunate reality, and something should be done about it! The problem, I feel, is really a no win situation though, considering that we are free to practice any religion we choose, and anyone has the potential to become a politician. It's an inherent catch 22 situation.
1085942
Yes.  You see it wherever you go in the US.  Also there are places like Hayden Lake, Idaho where white supremest have an encampment.  Though we are getting better, racism will exist as long as people teach their children to be racists.
902454
US policy is indeed a double standard because it is for the international corporations.  We end up supporting the interests of these corporations, maximizing their profits at the expense of the local populations, while ruining the reputation of this country in the process.  US citizens know little of this while the press here  makes it all seem to be of signal benefit to mankind.  There are those that feel a corporation can actually dump toxic material in underdeveloped countries, knowing that even if they are sued for doing so, because such a country is poor, the penalty for doing so is still so low the corporation loses little.  It is hard to believe that men can think this way and still sleep at night.  The world needs international police that will punish this form of behavior.
478316
I think that's a question that we all need to consider.  Many people are aware of our pollution problems and horrible conservation policies, but are unwilling to do anything about it, even spread awareness.  But, to answer the question, I'd give up my gas-guzzling car in a heartbeat.
492736
Reduce pollutions is the answer, but a certain political party, and their lobbyist will fight you all the way. So I say there is no answer.
622287
My south is social genocide on one side and golf courses and $300,000.00 houses on the other. I worry about the environment too, but I'm afraid I may be the only one.  Check out hydrogen power and spread the word to your friends.  It will save our planet if we act.  Also, adaptation is our only means of survival...those who fear change perish....infuse modernity with all things natural...see what you come up with.
1150328
Education! People have to learn more about pollution and what effects their actions (dumping, buying goods with a lot of packaging etc.) have on the environment. Only then people can act responsibly, reduce waste and recycle and reuse as much as possible.
1169517
That is a really good question.  That depends on how many people get involved in environmentalist organizations to stop urband sprawl.
983449
I think as long as there are still huge discrepancies and toothless laws that don't really work well in preventing discrimation, there should be some kind of affirmative action programs. I would like to think that at this point all we need are programs which promoted people who are entirely competitive with the rest of the population that is looking to gain college entrance or employment...... Some programs for encouraging people by giving them scholarships, job training or meals in the morning like "Head Start". It is wrong to enforce quotas based solely on race and not on ability and race together. Is this a legal question or it is about ethics and justice? It's been more than 30 years since I read anything by Plato or Kant in college, and I'm not going to debate the Bible. I guess the underlying question here is - how far should you go to try to legislate ethics and morality? In the case of affirmative action, the goal should be to raise up competent and talented minorities. It seems to be working somewhat, though progress seems slow (especially these days). I would not be in favor of continuing "affirmative action" on a permanent basis. Hopefully, soon, we'll not need it any more.
21772
because people feel that everyone should be responsible for the environment, except them.  its the typical double standard.  its easier to preach than it is to actually follow your own advice.