WHO'S KILLING THE ENVIRONMENT/ENDANGERED SPECIES ?

[Guest guest]

WHO'S KILLING THE ENVIRONMENT/ENDANGERED SPECIES ?

 

 

The following is our Letter to Editor.

Thanks for your reviewing and comments.

 

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WHO'S KILLING THE ENVIRONMENT/ENDANGERED SPECIES ?

 

(A Comparison between two major candidates ).

 

 

Dear Editor,

 

A wild cat that roams the Iberian Peninsula, a dolphin off the

New Zealand coast, a caviar-producing sturgeon and a red-flowered

shrub clinging to the mountains of Mauritius - all are teetering on the

edge of extinction.

 

Some 11,046 plants and animals risk disappearing forever, according to

the most comprehensive analysis of global conservation ever undertaken,

the World Conservation Union's 2000 Red List of Threatened Species.

The report, released on Sep. 28, 2000, examined some 18,000 species

and subspecies around the globe.

 

But scientists acknowledge that even a study of this magnitude only

scratches the surface. Earth is home to an estimated 14 million

species - and only 1.75 million have been documented.

Many may become extinct before they are even identified, much less

assessed by scientists.

 

``Yet every time a forest is burned to the ground in Madagascar or

the Philippines, the loss to global society is at least as great, yet

no one pays very much attention - and sadly it happens every day.''

said Russell Mittermeier, President of the Washington, D.C.-based

Conservation International.

 

Conservationists estimate that the current extinction rate is 1,000 to

10,000 times higher than it should be under natural conditions. That

means that in the first decades of the 21st century, many creatures -

from a majestic Albatross to Asian freshwater turtles - may join the

ranks of the flightless Dodo bird.

 

The primary reason: HUMANS. Everything from EXPANDING

CITIES to DEFORESTATION, AGRICULTURE and FISHING

POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE PLANET'S BIODIVERSITY.

(see Reference # 1 )

 

A dramatic increase in the number of species threatened with

extinction, the World Conservation Union released its " red list " of

endangered plants and animals. Conservation groups adds 200

animals to the Endangered List this year from the most critically

endangered list, including 11 mammals, 14 birds and 38 reptiles.

(see Reference # 2 ). The GREAT APES WILL EXTINCT IN

20 YEARS, according to experts. (see Reference # 3).

 

Democratic Presidential nominee Al Gore , as Vice President

throughout the eight years (8 ) Bill Clinton Presidential

administration, led successful defenses of the ENDANGERED

SPECIES ACT against repeated REPUBLICAN--led efforts to

weaken it during the 104th, 105th, and 106th CONGRESSES!!!

(see Ref. # 8).

 

Republican Presidential nominee George W. Bush ignoring

the pleas from many animals protection groups like HSUS , PETA etc.

twice accepted the " Governor of the Year " awards from the Safari Club

International , a TROPHY HUNTING industry organization which

promotes the killing of the World's Rarest wildlife. To be a highly

decorated member of the Club, a trophy hunter has to kill more than

322 different species of mammals including African Elephants, Rhinos,

Leopards, Nile crocodiles and other THREATENED SPECIES.

 

Bush opposed Texas legislation which would have more strictly

controlled game ranching and canned hunts.

National Rifle Asso. Vice President Kayne Robinson boasted at a

members-only meeting in early 2000 that Bush, if elected, would be

«a president where we work out of their office.»

Bush would do anything to please hunters and National Rifle

Association . One has to wonder could it possibly have big financial

benefits involved ??? (see Reference # 9).

 

Bush, as Texas Governor, also repeatedly opposed adding Texas

species to the federal Endangered and Threatened species lists---

and according to Texas Public Employees for Environmental

Responsibility, " dismantled the state's Natural Heritage Program,

ordered biological reports buried, and gave industry preferential

influence. " (see Reference # 4 )

 

Texas Governor George W. Bush wants to bring the agenda he

championed as governor to Washington D.C. as the next U.S.

president. But so far little has been made public about the

actual substance of those policies, particularly concerning the

ENVIRONMENT . His administration's environmental policies have

CONSISTENTLY CATERED TO THE INTERESTS OF INDUSTRIAL

MOGULS, BIG LANDOWNERS AND LARGE CONTRIBUTORS !

(see Reference # 5 )

 

Texas is the Number 1 in Livestock waste pollution ! Totaling

220 Billion pounds a year-- taking a heavy toll on the State's air and

water quality and creating a formidable public health hazard.

The waste burden has impaired at least 388 miles of Texas streams

and over 23,000 acres of lakes. Air testing near cattle feedlots shows

sporadic, high particulate levels above state and federal standards.

Air testing downwind of hog, cattle and broiler operations indicate

strong, offensive odors and ammonia levels in excess of the state's

" health based effects screening level " or ESL. Neighbors also testify

that odors and dust have led many to sell their homesteads and

move away. (see Reference # 6 )

 

Texas PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility)

frankly fears for the nation's environmental well being if Gov. Bush's

agenda rises to the federal government level.

(If you would like to see more of Bush's Environmental Records in

Texas, please refer : http://www.txpeer.org/bush/index.html )

 

Just a few days before the Presidential election, it is very

important to look at Bush and Gore's past environmental records

before we get confused . We would like to list Sierra Club's

(a major Environmental advocacy organization) important

comparison list at the end of this letter.

 

As you know, country's leader has full power and authority on our

ENVIRONMENT. Without careful selection of our leader,

thousands of animals species and plants would risk great danger to

disappear forever on top of numerous already vanished species !

One of most basic key issues is to PROTECT NATIONAL FOREST !

Gore supports proposal to protect 40 million acres of wild forests,

including the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

However, Bush opposes wild forest protection and he supports

increased logging in national forests. (see enclosed comparison list).

 

Dear Editor/Writer, the focus of the new millennium is not to

increase the number of the human specie population and construction

or how long can human specie live with pig's, cow's or dog's heart !!!

Instead, the " PRESERVATION " and " RESPECT " of other species

must be the major focus in the new millennium, which has been

purposely totally ignored for thousands of years by human specie !

 

We all have the obligation to take this important common

responsibility for the environment which we share together with other

millions of species. Therefore to choose the right leader to

LEAD us to protect our ENVIRONMENT is utmost importance !

 

Please, it is so important to let your readers have full

understanding on both major candidates standing on Environment

issues. It could be the last chance for the ENVIRONMENT !!!

 

As always, we are very grateful to you for your kindness,

compassion and help.

 

Very Truly Yours,

Your readers.

 

-----

P.S. : Sierra Club's (a major Environmental advocacy organization)

listed the comparison on Environment: (see Reference # 7)

( http://www.sierraclub.org/voter_education/president/voterguide.asp )

 

@@ MAJOR KEY ISSUE : PROTECT NATIONAL FORESTS.

 

Gore : supports proposal to protect 40 million acres of wild

forests, including the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

(speech, 5-30-00 to Wisconsin environmentalists, Milwaukee, WI)

Bush : opposes wild forest protection. Supports increased

logging in national forests. (Seattle Times, 5-22-00; New York

Times, 5-17-00; Seattle P-I, 6-26-00)

------

@@ ISSUE: CREATE NATIONAL MONUMENTS

 

Gore : supported the creation of national monuments, including

the Grand Canyon Parashant, Giant Sequoia, Grand Staircase-

Escalante, and others. (Gore Website 6-28-00)

Bush : opposed the creation of new national monuments.

(Associated Press, 6-1-00; Seattle P-I, 6-26-00)

-----

 

@@ ISSUE: PROTECT ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE .

 

Gore : supports wilderness protection for the Refuge.

(speech, 5-30-00 to Wisconsin environmentalists, Milwaukee, WI)

Bush : supports oil drilling in the Refuge.(Seattle

Post-Intelligencer )

--

@@ ISSUE : CURB GLOBAL WARMING .

 

Gore: helped negotiate the Kyoto Accords. Supports curbing

the emissions that cause global warming. (Gore Website, 6-28-00)

Bush: believes global warming is real, but opposes Kyoto Accords.

No plan to address the issue. (Christian Science Monitor,4-21-00)

 

@@ ISSUE : CLEAN AIR

 

Gore : supported stricter clean air health standards to

protect children, seniors and others from soot and smog.

Opposes weakening the Clean Air Act. (Gore Website, 6-28-00)

Bush : opposed stricter clean air health standards.

Favors weakening Clean Air Act enforcement provisions,

while Houston has become the " smog capital " of the U.S. "

(Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission letter,

3-10-97); (Boston Globe, 12-16-99; Dallas Morning News, 11-7-99)

-

@@ ISSUE : PROTECT CLEAN WATER .

 

Gore: created " Clean Water Action Plan " to increase funding for

clean up of polluted run off, protect drinking water, and other

purposes. (Gore Website 6-28-00)

Bush : Weakened water quality standards for Lake Sam Rayburn,

the Nueces River Tidal area, and Pease River, among other

weakening changes, while Texas has the most violators of Clean

Water Act discharge limits, and the third highest amount of industrial

toxics discharged into surface waters. (Beaumont Enterprise,

7-27-00; Associated Press, 2-22-00; National Wildlife Federation,

et al press release, 3-20-00; " Poisoning Our Water:

How the Government Permits Pollution, " US PIRG, February 2000;

1998 TRI data, Environmental Protection Agency, 5-11-00)

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@@ ISSUE: LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION TO PROTECT

THE ENVIRONMENT .

 

Gore: proposed new standards to reduce smog and soot from

power plants and other sources. Proposed Clean Water Action Plan

to reduce water pollution. These proposals would require legislation.

Advocates federal court review of judicial decisions to block clean

air health standards and programs, which may require litigation.

(Gore Website 8-21-00)

Bush: has said: " I don't think you can litigate clean air and clean

water. I don't think you can legislate clean air and clean water. "

Developed a voluntary program to reduce air pollution from aging

industrial facilities, which has reduced pollution by only 2.4%

according to state records. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 8-12-00);

(Dallas Morning News, 5-26-00)

-----------------------------

@@ ISSUE: REDUCE POLLUTION FROM FACTORY FARMS.

 

Gore: supports federal action to reduce pollution from large

animal feedlots. (Omaha World Herald, 1-14-00)

Bush : does not support federal action to reduce pollution from

large animal feedlots, while Texas has more factory farms and manure

than any other state, and they are essentially unregulated.

(World Reporter, 5-19-00)

------

@@ ISSUE: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM .

 

Gore: supports McCain-Feingold bill to ban soft money donations

to political parties. Supports " Democracy Endowment " to finance

future campaigns. (speech, Marquette University, Milwaukee,

Wisconsin, 3-27-00)

Bush: opposes McCain-Feingold bill to ban soft money donations

to political parties. Opposes public financing of elections.

(Bush website 6-28-00; Austin American Statesman, 2-16-2000)

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@@ ISSUE: DRINKING WATER .

 

Gore: Favors more funds for drinking water. (Gore Website 6/28/00)

Bush: Texas is 46th in the nation in spending to protect drinking

water. (Council of State Governments)

---

@@ ISSUE: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE .

 

Gore: Sponsored with Rep. John Lewis The Environmental Justice

Act to establish protective health standards for low-income

communities. Helped write Executive Order requiring that

environmental justice become a goal of federal agencies.

(S. 2806; Executive Order 12898, 2-11-94)

Bush: Has not addressed environmental justice issues.

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References list :

 

1: London(AP), September 28, 2000, " Extinction Risk Grows Around

Globe " , By MARA D. BELLABY, Associated Press Writer.

2: http://www.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/09/28/redlist/index.html

3: http://www.smh.com.au/news/0009/29/features/features1.html

4: http://www.txpeer.org/

5: http://www.txpeer.org/bush/index.html

6: http://www.consumersunion.org/other/cafoprsw500.htm

7: http://www.sierraclub.org/voter_education/president/voterguide.asp

8: Animal People, Sep. 2000.

9: Animal People, July/Aug. 2000. P. 18.

10.

http://www.enn.com/features/2000/08/08102000/presidents_30209.asp?P=1

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