US=pollution

[Popeye]

The newly released Environmental Performance Index ranks the US 39th in the world. Not something to be proud of, unless you work for the Bush administration, as they've been doing their best to gut and get around environmental laws since taking office.

Switzerland tops Environmental index, US lags

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Switzerland ranks first in environmental performance but the world's largest economy, the United States, lags many industrialized nations, a report drawn up by U.S. university experts said on Wednesday.

Switzerland scored top marks among 149 countries measured in six environmental areas including air pollution, water quality and how they control industrial pollution, according to the 2008 Environmental Performance Index released at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Sweden came second in the ranking, compiled by environmental experts at Yale University and Columbia University, followed by Norway, Finland and Costa Rica.

The United States, dragged down by poor scores on greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of air pollution on ecosystems, placed 39th, far behind other developed states like the United Kingdom in 14th and Japan in 21st.

"The United States' performance indicates that the next administration must not ignore the ecosystem impacts of environmental as well as agricultural, energy and water management policies," Gus Speth, dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, said in a statement.

The U.S ranking -- below Albania, Russia and Panama -- was "a national disgrace," Speth said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/envi...0080123?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews

http://epi.yale.edu/Home

 

[USMC the Almighty]

What has Switzerland ever done for me?

 

[Bunz]

What has Switzerland ever done for me?

Come on now Jarhead, dont make me post that youtube video of you wearing lederhosen, with a giant clock like Flava Flave around your neck, licking chocolate of your fingers after you got done yodeling.

The Swiss? Dont overlook em Devil Dog, If it wasnt for the Swiss guards, some company of Marines would have to look after the Pope. Plus, your not knocking the Geneva Convention are ya?

 

[Popeye]

What has Switzerland ever done for me?

As I'm sure you realize, this is not about Switzerland being no.1, it's about the US being 39th.

The anti environmental policies of the Bush administration are to thank for such a pathetic showing.

 

[Bunz]

Popeye,
While I am no fan of the Bush administration, I dont think it possible one ever to see the US in the top 10 because of the sheer size of our country compared to places like Albania and Panama. While Russia is vast, it still is not as industrialized as America. Personally, I think ranking in the top 50 is a respectable place.
Now I find there no excuse to explain education, health, etc ranking being not as high as they could be.

 

[Popeye]

Popeye,
While I am no fan of the Bush administration, I dont think it possible one ever to see the US in the top 10 because of the sheer size of our country compared to places like Albania and Panama. While Russia is vast, it still is not as industrialized as America. Personally, I think ranking in the top 50 is a respectable place.
Now I find there no excuse to explain education, health, etc ranking being not as high as they could be.

I believe, in the methodology they use, they allow for such differences as size, amount of industrialization etc.: "The 2008 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 149 countries on 25 indicators tracked across six established policy categories: Environmental Health, Air Pollution, Water Resources, Biodiversity and Habitat, Productive Natural Resources, and Climate Change. The EPI identifies broadly-accepted targets for environmental performance and measures how close each country comes to these goals."

They have an entire page on the methodology used, gets pretty detailed:

http://epi.yale.edu/Methodology

 

[Bunz]

Fair enough Popeye, I did skim that link but again, are you really surprised and where do you think the US should be? I notice that Canada is 12,
Mexico 47 respectively.

 

[Popeye]

Fair enough Popeye, I did skim that link but again, are you really surprised and where do you think the US should be? I notice that Canada is 12,
Mexico 47 respectively.

The Economic Sustainability Index was the precursor (same people- Yale University)to the EPI.....and in 2001, the beginning of the Bush administration, the US ranked 11th.

http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/es/esi/rank_01.html

In 2006, the first EPI report, the US ranked 26th. As you can see, the decline in the US ranking is in direct correlation to the years going by in the Bush administration. Considering, the anti environmental policies of the Bush administration, it's hard to believe that this is mere coincidence.

http://www.yale.edu/epi/files/2006EPI_Report_Full.pdf

 

[Bunz]

I didnt realise that pre-Bush the US was ranked that high, pretty telling. Obviously the enviroment isnt the only thing that Bush has handled poorly.

Ah but under a year left. Anyone else looking forward to 1/20/09? At this rate, I am alright with whoever becomes President as long as thier name isnt Bush or Clinton.

 

[USMC the Almighty]

Come on now Jarhead, dont make me post that youtube video of you wearing lederhosen, with a giant clock like Flava Flave around your neck, licking chocolate of your fingers after you got done yodeling.

The Swiss? Dont overlook em Devil Dog, If it wasnt for the Swiss guards, some company of Marines would have to look after the Pope. Plus, your not knocking the Geneva Convention are ya?

Hahaha, that gave me a good chuckle Bunz. And by the way -- it's the SEALs that always get the security detail, not Marines. The only exception, of course being that which is referrenced in the Hymn:

"If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines."

 

[Aaron Burr]

I don't get it, the 2005 index had us at 45th. But it's nice to see China down there at 133 and 104 respectively. Lot's of country's have had the top spot, problem is, those country's are tiny, and make nothing. Oh, and the study has only been around for a couple of years, and keeps changing the factors used in preparing the list, or, as they state, they just make up the numbers where there is no official data.

Besides, the study comes from Yale, the home of SKULL AND BONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has to be plot of some kind.

Also, President Bush has hardly been trying at all to gut and get around environmental laws. Just imagine what he could accomplish if he set his mind to it.

 

[Bunz]

Interesting point AB, but as far as Im concerned Bush cant set his mind to working the velcro on his shoes. Anything that gets done in the White House comes from Cheney.

 

[Aaron Burr]

I'm just cranky. I think the index is a move by the Nature Conservancy Group to further the cult of Global Warming. (A.K.A. Socialism.) A harsh word, but I can't think of a better one.

And you've got President Bush all wrong. Cheney needs him for blood transfusions and organ donations.

 

[Popeye]

I'm just cranky. I think the index is a move by the Nature Conservancy Group to further the cult of Global Warming. (A.K.A. Socialism.) A harsh word, but I can't think of a better one.

Yep, makes a lot of sense, Yale and the scientific community, are conspiring to make the US look bad with the ultimate goal of socialism. Have you been breathing in that smoke from your avatar? The Bush administration and the fossil fuel industry don't need any help, they look bad all by themselves.

 

[Foolosophy]

The Irony in all this is that although the Bush administration has circumvented environmental laws in order to boost the profits of private US corporations, IT HAS STILL MANAGED TO STUFF UP THE ECONOMY.

Then the Bush administration used tax payers money (almost 1 trillion dollars worth) to prop up the failing US financial sectors.

Where have the free market principles gone ?

In fact Bush used Socialistic principles to bail out private corporations

CORPORATE WELFARE - US REPUBLICAN STYLE