This is from the CIA World Fact Book:
Environment - current issues:
large emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural freshwater resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification
Environment - international agreement
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes
Geography - note:
world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent
The surface of Earth has to be respected. The urbanization that is occurring in the USA is at a record pace and is simply wrong. There is a natural progression to cities and settling into real estate. Urban sprawl is an enemy.
The population of the world is not slowing. Now there is talk about "The Forever Pill." (click here) It is developed for astronauts and child cancer victims. The trials are set to begin in Boston.
There is a way to responsibly build a city to take care of people and growing up in height is one of them. Pouring concrete cannot simply happen because there is an empty area of land in the forest near a road. Sooner or later, but, it should be sooner Americans have to address the country's responsible use of land.
Deforestation has to end. There are far more responsible methods of forest management. Wildlife management has to be a part of it to insure land preservation.
Mountain top removal has to end. The forest is gone, the rock heats and the effect is no different than a "heat island" to the area. The pollution affiliated with mountain top removal is worse than "Third World."
The contractors engaged in mountain top removal is SUPPOSE to save and store the land and biotic content their mining disturbs. The idea, by the industry, is to reconstruct the forest. Really? The industry has to employ Conservation Biologists to manage these restoration supplies. The mountain ecological system should begin as soon as possible. A return of forests to these lands are vital to returning normal climate to the region.
STOP POURING CONCRETE and focus on life closer to work. Places of work should be closer to the city. City life provides far more efficient use of energy and transportation. Sincere city dwellers do well without a personal car. Vacations into the glorious lands of the USA is a true treasure to the memories of a family.
Protect and extend state and national parks. There is such a thing as a "City Forest." Where there are streams and wetlands, forests can do well. Forests cool the troposphere and provide oxygen.
STOP BUILDING ROADS and MALLS for the sake of crony politics. Refurbish and renovate existing buildings and give them a second life.
Cooling Earth to make it function in a real way to protect human life and provide quality of life is imperative. Human beings can't live without a planet. Look for and get involved in protecting the natural world and put away the cement mixers.
