We can't be driven by irrational fear

When we speak of our environment there are always many sides far right,far left ,center,right of center,left of center and so on.I'd like to present a petition to the 1992 Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro a center right document with 425 signatories from the sciences a number that has since grown to 4000 signors some seventy of whom are Nobel laureates. While I don't endorse the the document in total I do on principle agree with the theme expressed in it.
We need to take a considered well reasoned approach to our current environmental problems and look to science and a measured approach that places reason before emotions and not throw the baby out with the bath water.With out further comment I'd
like to present to you The Heidelberg Appeal for you consideration,food for thought.
The Heidelberg Appeal was publicly released at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. By the end of the 1992 summit, 425 scientists and other intellectual leaders had signed the appeal. Since then, word of mouth has prompted thousands more scientists to lend their support. Today, more than 4,000 signatories, from over 100 countries have signed it, including more than 70 Nobel Prize winners. In spite of this spontaneous and growing support from the world's scientific community, the Heidelberg Appeal has received very little media attention.

Neither a statement of corporate interests nor a denial of environmental problems, the Heidelberg Appeal is a quiet call for reason and a recognition of scientific progress as the solution to, not the cause of, the health and environmental problems that we face. The appeal expresses a conviction that modern society is the best equipped in human history to solve the world's ills, provided that they do not sacrifice science, intellectual honesty and common sense to political opportunism and irrational fears.

We want to make our full contribution to the preservation of our common heritage, the Earth.

We are, however, worried at the dawn of the twenty-first century, at the emergence of an irrational ideology which is opposed to scientific and industrial progress and impedes economic and social development.

We contend that a Natural State, sometimes idealized by movements with a tendency to look toward the past, does not exist and has probably never existed since man's first appearance in the biosphere, insofar as humanity had always progressed by increasingly harnessing Nature to its needs and not the reverse. We fully subscribe to the objectives of a scientific ecology for a universe whose resources must be taken stock of, monitored and preserved.

But we herewith demand that this stock-taking, monitoring and preservation be founded on scientific criteria and not on irrational preconceptions.

We stress that many essential human activities are carried out either by manipulating hazardous substances or in their proximity, and that progress and development have always involved increasing control over hostile forces, to the benefit of mankind.

We therefore consider that scientific ecology is no more than an extension of this continual progress toward the improved life of future generations.

We intend to assert science's responsibility and duties toward society as a whole.

We do, however, forewarn the authorities in charge of our planet's destiny against decisions which are supported by pseudoscientific arguments of false and nonrelevant date.

We draw everybody's attention to the absolute necessity of helping poor countries attain a level of sustainable development which matches that of the rest of the planet, protecting them from troubles and dangers stemming from developed nations, and avoiding their entanglement in a web of unrealistic obligations which would compromise both their independence and their dignity.

The greatest evils which stalk our Earth are ignorance and oppression, and not Science, Technology, and Industry whose instruments, when adequately managed, are indispensable tools of a future shape by Humanity, by itself and for itself, overcoming major problems like overpopulation, starvation and worldwide diseases.

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Signatories of the Heidelberg Appeal to Heads of States and Governments 3,082 signers from 106 countries including 72 Nobel Prize Winners:

Mr. Bruce N. Ames- Dir. of Nat. Inst. of Environmental Health Sciences Center, Berkeley- Biochemistry- USA *Mr. Phillip W. Anderson- Nobel Prize (Physics), Princeton University- Physics- USA *Mr. Christian B. Anfinsen- Nobel Prize (Chemistry)- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore- Biology- USA Mr. Henri Atlan- Pr., Head Nuclear Medicine Department, Hotel Dieu- Paris- Nuclear Medicine- France *Mr. Julius Axelrod- Nobel Prize (Medicine)- Lab. of Cell Biology, Nat. Inst. of Mental Health- Cell Biology- USA Mr. Etienne Baulieu- Inserm, Ac. of Sciences, France, National Ac. of Sciences, USA, Lasker Prize- Endocrinology- france *Mr. Baruj Benacerraf- Nobel Prize (Medicine), National Medal of Science, President. Dana- Farber, Inc.- Cancerology- USA *Mr. Hans Albrecht Bethe- Nobel Prize (Physics), em. Pr., Cornell University, Ithica, NY- Nuclear Physics- USA *Sir James W. Black- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr. of Analytical Pharmacology, King's College, London- Pharmacology- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Nicolaas Bloembergen- Nobel Prize (Physics), Harvard University- Physics- USA Sir Hermann Bondi- Em. Pr. of Mathematics, King's College Un., Master of Churchill College Cambridge- Mathematics- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Norman E. Borlaug- Nobel Prize (Peace), Sc. Consult. Cimmyt, Mexico, Pdt. Sasakawa African Ass.- agriculture- USA Mr. Pierre Bourdieu- College de France, Paris- Sociology- France *Mr. Adolph Butenandt- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Hon Pres. Max-Planck Institute- Chemistry- Allemagne *Mr. Thomas R. Cech- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), University of Colorado- Chemistry- USA Mr. Carlos Chagas- Academia Pontificia, WIS- Medicine- Bresil *Mr. Owen Chamberlain- Pr., Nobel Prize (Physics), Em. Pr., Un. of California, Berkeley- USA *Mr. Stanley Cohen- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Distinguished Pr., Dept. of Biochem., Vanderbelt Un.- Biochemistry- USA *Sir John Warcup Corniforth- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), School Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Brighton- Chemistry- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Jean Dausset- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Ac. of sciences, France, Pres. U.M.S.R.,W.I.S., Paris- Immunology- France *Mr. Gerard Debreu- Nobel Prize (Economy), Em. Pr. of Economics and Mathematics, Un. of California- Economy- USA *Mr. Johan Deisenhoffer- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Un. of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas- Biochemistry- USA Sir Richard Doll- Em. Pr. of Medicine, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford- Epidemiology- Grande- Bretagne *Mr. Christian de Duve- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Biology- Belgique *Mr. Manfred Eigan- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), President of Max Plank Institut, Gottingen- Chemistry- Allemagne *Mr. Richard R. Ernst- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich- Chemistry- Suisse *Mr. Pierre de Gennes- Nobel Prize (Physics), Ac. of Sciences, Pr., College de France, Paris- Physics- France *Mr. Ivar Giaever- Nobel Prize (Physics), Institute Pr. R.P.I.- Physics- USA *Mr. Donald A. Glaser- Nobel Prize (Physics), Pr. of Physics, Un. of California- Physics- USA Mr. Francois Gros- Pr., College de France, Ac. of Sciences, France, Vice-President W.I.S., Paris- Biology of development- France *Mr. Roger Guillemin- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Whittier Institute, La Jolla- Medicine- USA *Mr. Herbert a. Hauptman- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pres. Med. Found. of Buffalo, Pr. of Biophysics Sc.- Biophysics- USA Mr. Harald zur Hausen- Pr., Dir., Dir. of German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg- Cancerology- Allemagne Mrs. Francoise Heritier-Auge- Pr., College de France, Pres. Cons. Nat. du Sida, Dir., EHESS- Anthropology- France *Mr. Dudley R. Herschbach- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Baird Pr. of Science, Harvard University, Cambridge- Chemistry- USA *Mr. Gerhard Herzberg- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), National Research Council of Canada- Chemistry- Canada Mr. Benno Hess- Pr., Dr., Honorary Senator and former Vice Pdt. of the Max-Planck Society, W.I.S.- Biophysics- Allemagne *Mr. Anthony Hewish- Nobel Prize (Physics), Pr. Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge Un.- Physics- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Roald Hoffman- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr. of Chemistry, Cornell University- Chemistry- USA *Mr. Robert Huber- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Max-Planck Institut for Biochemie- Biochemistry- Allemagne *Sir Andrew Fielding Huxley- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Formerly President of the Royal Society of London- London- Grande-Bretagne Mr. Eugene Ionesco- Literature- France Mr. Serguei Petrivich Kapitza- Pr., Ac. of Sciences, Institut for Physical Problems, W.I.S.- Physics, electrodynamics- Russie *Mr. Jerome Karle- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Chief Scientist, Lab. for Structure of Matter- Chemistry- USA *Sir John Kendrew- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr., The Old Guildhall, Cambrdige- Molecular Biology- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Klaus Von Klitzing- Nobel Prize (Physics), Pr., Max-Planck Inst. Solid State Research, Stuttgart- Physics- Allemagne *Mr. Aaron Klug- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), M.R.C. Lab. of Molecular Biology, Cambridge- Chemistry- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Edwin G. Krebs- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Em., Dep. of Pharm. & Biochem., Un. of q Washington- Biochemistry- USA *Mr. Leon Lederman- Nobel Prize (Physics), Director Emeritus, Fermi Natl. Accelerator Laboratory- Nuclear Physics- USA *Mr. Yuan T. Lee- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr. of Chemistry, Un. of California, Berkeley- Chemistry- USA *Mr. Jean-Marie Lehn- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr., College de France, W.I.S.- Chemistry- France Mr. Pierre Lelong- Pr., Ac. of Sciences, W.I.S.- Mathematics- France *Mr. Wassily Leontief- Nobel Prize (Economy), Pr., New York University- Economy- USA *Mrs. Rita Levi-Montalcini- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Ac. Lincei, Ac. Pontificia, W.I.S.- Neurosciences- Italie Mr. Andre Lichnerowicz- Pr., Ac. of Sciences, France, Ac. lincei, Ac. Pontificia, President of W.I.S.- Mathematical Physics- France Mr. Richard S. Lindzen- Pr., US National Academy of Sciences, M.I.T., W.I.S.- Meterology- USA *Mr. William N. Lipscomb- Nobel Priuze (Chemistry), Pr. Em., Harvard University, Cambridge- Chemistry- USA *Mr. Harry M. Markowitz- Nobel Prize (Economics), Speizer Pr. of Finance, Baruch College- USA *Mr. Simon van der Meer- Nobel Prize (Physics), Geneva- Nuclear Physics- Suisse *Mr. Cesar Milstein- Nobel Prize (Physiology), Dr., Cambridge- Physiology- Grande-Bretagne *Sir Nevill F. Mott- Nobel Prize (Physics), Em. Pr., Cambridge University- Physics- Grande- Bretagne *Mr. Joseph E. Murray- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Dr., Surgery, Harvard Med. School- Cell Biology- USA *Mr. Daniel Nathans- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., John Hopkins Un., School og Med., Baltimore- Molecular Genetics- USA Mr. Daniel W. Nebert- Pr., Dir., Center for Environmental Genetics, Un. of Cincinnati- Genetics- USA *Mr. Louis Neel- Nobel Prize (Physics)- Physics- France *Mr. Erwin Neher- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Dr., Dir. Max-Planck Institute, Biophysics, Goettingen- Biophysics- Allemagne *Mr. Marshall W. Nirenberg- Nobel Prize (Medicine), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda- Medicine- USA *Mr. George E. Palade- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Division of Cellular & Molecular Med.- Cell Medicine- USA *Mr. Linus Pauling- Nobel Prize (Chemistry, Peace), Pr., Linus Pauling Institute Science and Med.- Chemistry- USA Mr. Jean-Claude Pecker- Pr. Hon., College de France, Ac. of Sciences, Royal Ac. of Belgium, W.I.S.- Astrophysics- France *Mr. Arno A. Penzias- Nobel Prize (Physics), Pr., Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill- Physics- USA *Mr. Max Ferdinand Perutz- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge- Biochemistry- Grande-Bretagne Mr. Julian Peto- Pr., Head, Section of Epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research, London- Epidemiology- Grande-Bretagne Mr. Richard Peto- Pr. of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology, Un. of Oxford- Epidemiology- Grande-Bretagne *Mr, John Charles Polanyi- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr. of Chemistry, University of Toronto- Chemistry- Canada *Lord George Porter- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr., Chariman, Photomolec. Sc., Imperial College, London- Chemistry- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. I. Prigogine- Nobel Prize (Chemistry), Pr., Dir. Inst. Intern. de Phys. et de Chim., Bruxelles- Chemistry- Belgique Mr. A. Prochiantz- Pr., Dir. of Research, CNRS, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, W.I.S.- Pharmacology- France Mr. Ichtiaque Rasool- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena- Physics- France *Mr. Tadeus Reichstein- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr. Em., Org. Chemistry, Un. of Basel- Organic Chemistry- Suisse *Mr, Heinrich Rohrer- Nobel Prize (Physics), IBM Research Laboratory- Physics- Suisse

*Mr. Bert Sakmann- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Max-Planck Inst. fur Med. Forschung, Heidelberg- Cell Physiology- Allemagne *Mr. Abdus Salam- Nobel Prize (Physics), International Centre for Theoretical Physics- Italie Mr. Jonas Salk- Distinguished Pr., Dr., International Health Sciences- Biology- USA Mr. Evry Schatzman- Pr., Ac. of Sciences, France- Astrphysics- France *Mr. Arthur L. Schawlow- Nobel Prize (Physics), Stanford University- Physics- USA Mr. G. Schettler- Pr., Dr., Former President, Academy of Sciences, Heidelberg- Cardiology- Allemagne Mr. Elie A. Shneour- Pr. Dir., Biosystems Research Institute, San Diego, California- Biochemistry- USA *Mr. Kai Siegbahn- Nobel Prize (Physics)- Physics- Suede Mr. S. Fred Singer- Pr. of Environmental Sciences, Un. of Virginia, Dir. of the Washington S.E.P.P.- Environmental Sciences- USA *Mr. Richard Laurence Millington Synge- Nobel Prize (Chemistry)- Biochemistry- Grande- Bretagne Mr. G. P. Talwar- Pr. of Em., Nat. Inst. of Immunology, Ac. of Science, India, W.I.S.- Immunopathology- Inde *Mr. Jan Tinbergen- Nobel Prize (Economics)- Economics- Pays-Bas *Lord Alexander R. Todd- Nobel Prize (Chemistry)- Chemistry- Grabde-Bretagne Mr. Alvin Toffler- Author, Futurist- Futurology- USA *Mr. Charles H. Townes- Nobel Prize (Physics), W.I.S., Pr. Em of Physics, University of California, Berkeley- Physics- USA Mr. Rene Truhaut- Pr., Pharmacology, Faculte des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Paris- Toxicology- France *Sir John R. Vane- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Chairman of William Harvey Research Inst., London- Endocrinology- Grande-Bretagne *Mr. Harold E. Varmus- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr. of Microbiology, Un. of California, San Francisco- Microbiology- USA *Mr. Thomas Huckle Weller- Nobe Prize (Medicine), Pr. Em., Harvard- Medicine- USA *Mr. Elie Wiesel- Nobel Prize (Peace), University of Boston- Literature- USA *Mr. Torsten N. Wiesel- Nobel Prize (Medicine), Pr., Lab. of Neurobio., Rockefeller University, New York- Neurobiology- USA *Mr. Robert W. Wilson- Nobel Prize (Physics), Head, Radio Physics Res. Dept., AT&T Bell Laboratories- Physics- USA

* Denotes Nobel Prize Winner Environmental Genetics, Un. of Cincinnati- Genetics- USA



© 2006 American Policy Center

An ongoing effort

I hear a lot of talk about going green,reducing our carbon foot print,becoming more conscious of our environment,etc.. it seems there is a lot to do and there are as many road blocks to progress in the desired direction as there are directions to pursue.I for one am at a loss as to what to do,so I thought I would take a look at what is out there in the world that can be done.I will probably regurgitate many points already made,I hope not to do this at nausea um,but it's a chance I'm willing to take in order to achieve my goal,which is to sort through a mountain of information an come up with some practical solutions.
For one thing I often wonder about bottled water,a multi billion dollar industry built on the false assumption that it's healthier to drink water from a plastic bottle than from a tap.
Municipal water supplies are held to a higher safety standard than are the manufacturers of bottled water and if a plastic bottle gets hot it has the potential to release chemical compounds into the water that have potential adverse health effects not to mention that according to the Container Recycling Institute report by Jenny Gitlitz and Pat Franklin, February 2007.sales of bottled water 1 liter or less amounted to 27.9 billion units. How many barrels of oil dose it take to make 27.9 billion plastic bottles you might ask,not to mention transporting from the manufacturer to the wholesaler and then to retailers my best,most honest answer is,I can't say for sure all I can say is,it's got to be mind boggling.I'll find the answer and when I do I'll pass it on,until then lets just say it seems to be more than a few thousand barrels a year.
The point is stop drinking bottled water and if you need to drink water from a bottle then go out and by the most expensive bottled water you can find drink it and refill it from the tap so you can take it with you or buy a reusable bottle. I some times think that P.T. Barnum was right and theres a sucker born every minute stop being a sucker and start making a difference,you do know that bottled water is more expensive than a gallon of 91 octain. Don't you?Besides with all the money you save you can buy a reverse osmosis filtration system for your home.
Cheers

It's green

Conservation Starts at Home: Everyday Tips for Going Green


(ARA) - It seems green is the color for the season, and not just on the runway. Environmentalism is here in full force, and by the looks of things, it’s here to stay. One area that is red hot -- or green hot, as the case may be -- is making your home environmentally friendly. And it’s no wonder. Anything that saves money and the planet is a sure-fire win in anyone’s book. If you are looking for a way to go green around the house, start by taking steps to conserve water and energy. Try out these easy ways to care for the earth, enjoy your home and save money.



Don’t Waste the Water

When it comes to water conservation, every drop counts. Look around your home for any leaky faucets and get them repaired as soon as possible. You can also save on water in the bathroom by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. They save on energy costs by cutting down on water usage, and with less hot water being used, less water is being heated.



Laundry is also a big water-eater. With kids, it seems clothes get dirtier by the second. But you can easily conserve water by adjusting your “squeamish” threshold. Dry off with that towel more than once before tossing it into the hamper. And, unless you are out roping steer every day, you can often get by with a two or three wears before laundering your jeans. Remember, every little bit helps.



By far, the best way to conserve water is to make it a family affair. Get your kids on the bandwagon by teaching them the value of water. Show them how to turn off the water when they brush their teeth or take a quick shower, and of course, set a great example.



Green Up the Air

Heating and cooling our homes is one of those touchy subjects we all have to deal with. Sure, I want to save energy and preserve our planet, but when sweat is dripping down my neck in the summer and my teeth are chattering in the winter, self-preservation wins out every time. Fortunately, there are great ways to save on energy costs so you can feel comfortable without feeling guilty.



Hands down, the best way to green your home is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system that is Energy Star certified. By installing a high-efficiency HVAC system you will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. And if that’s not enough to smile about, you also shave a big chunk of change off your utility bills. Look for a product with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which means it meets strict government standards for energy efficiency. Today’s government standard is 13 SEER, but American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has a wide range of products on the market that meet and exceed the standard, reaching as high as 18 SEER.



Another helpful tip is to clean out your filters or replace them regularly. A dirty filter will quickly hamper the airflow, costing you more money to run your system. And, of course, when you’re not home, adjust your thermostat to compliment the changing weather temperatures outside. One of the easiest ways to regulate this is to use an automated thermostat. American Standard has a variety of thermostats to choose from. Just as every drop of water counts, every temperature degree counts. You can save about three percent of your heating costs for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter, and up to six percent for every degree you raise it during the summer. This adds up quickly!



Greening it Together

Make saving energy a game by getting the family on board. Post your utility bill where everyone in the family can see it, and as a group try to lower it by ten dollars next month, perhaps twenty the month after that. Before you realize it, you’ll be line drying heavy items like comforters or pants, or cleaning out the filters in your fridge to make it run more efficiently. Little steps here and there add up in no time.



No one has to suffer when it comes to greening up your home. On the contrary, by making the challenge fun, you can get everyone in the family on board. As a result, everyone comes out a winner -- your home, your wallet, your family and your planet.



Courtesy of ARAcontent



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EDITOR’S NOTE:



Hannah Keeley is a lifestyle expert, author and founder of TotalMom.com. Her work has been published in numerous publications and she has been featured on national television programming as the go-to source for moms.