When we watch the TV show Dharma and Greg (now in reruns) the biggest laughs are elicited when Dharma's parents defy common sense with some 60's hippy nonsense or some 90's "the Earth is our mother" sentiment. It's funny not because of what they believe, but because of the degree to which they take it. Caring and common sense are not really at odds for most of us. In contrast the parents of the Greg character, filthy rich capitalist socialites, are people far above us regular folk, yet they seem far more normal to us than the left over hippies.
There is a point here...
There is group that has taken the counter culture mentality that the Earth is dying and it's our (America's) fault. We are killing Mother Earth by driving our cars and powering our businesses and homes. This group called Our Children's Trust is currently making its case not in the court of public opinion but in the courts themselves. They are in the process of suing the Federal government and 10 states. The are suing on the grounds that our carbon emissions are violating the public trust. The concept of the public trust goes all the way back to Roman times and was meant to protect waters and shorelines from being taken over by private interests, thus restricting access to public resources. Public trust cannot be applied to the atmosphere, but this is exactly what Our Children's Trust is trying to do.
A quick look at their web page tells you all you need to know in the first few paragraphs:
The most basic role of a government is to protect its citizens from dangers too large and complex for individuals to deal with on their own. Global warming is just such a danger...
Earth's climate has passed through many warm and cold phases over many millions of years, but the carbon added to the atmosphere by humans during the past two centuries has changed everything...
We still have a chance to restore the balance, but time is running out. Congress is deadlocked, the Obama administration has failed to show leadership, and the climate crisis is close to spiraling out of control. Take to the courts. Take to the streets. Demand a solution to global warming...
Renewable energy could account for almost 80% of the world's energy supply within four decades - but only if governments pursue the policies needed to promote green power
Yes, Chicken Little the sky is falling and we're all gonna DIE!!!
Taking the notion that renewables would be able to supply 80% of the world energy needs in four decades with a grain of salt I would be totally on board with it if it didn't come with all the green baggage.
As for the strategy of stomping their feet in America's court rooms it defies common sense. Since carbon emissions mix evenly around the globe there is no practical way to distribute any kind of claim. The same society Our Children's Trust touts as leading the green technology charge - our beloved China - is spewing more pollution and toxins into the atmosphere than any other country by far. Thankfully so far these type of green law suits have failed in America and even liberal judges raise an eyebrow when rendering a verdict. Some, including the Wall Street Journal editorial board, think it's time to start issuing sanctions for these nuisance court actions that waste time and state & Federal dollars.
Hear, hear.
CW
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