Re: Strike a deal, any deal (OGJ, Nov. 8, 1999, p. 19).
The measureable fact is the earth's average temperature is increasing, and greenhouse gas concentrations are increasing, and there is much scientific evidence which links these events. Perhaps greenhouse gases are not solely responsible for global warming, but any educated person can recognize the basic pattern.
At some point, sacrifices will have to be made; consider it the price we must pay for what we currently have. Beleive it or not, economic growth is not always positive. Take the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska a few years back. The cleanup for that oil spill added billions to the US economy. Surely this is not adding to our standard of living.
Yes, developing countries will contribute more greenhouse gases in the future, but they're essentially following the path established by every other industrialized nation. It's time for the US to acknowledge the negative consequences of their strong economy and make some responsible decisions regarding the world environment.
The best team captains in sports always lead by example; so to must the world's most powerful country.
Sonny Lyons
Halifax, NS
