The following is a guest post from James O'Shea
As we enter a new administration and era of Barack Obama’s governance, it is time we recognize and correct the problems with our current energy and environmental policies. What I wish to focus on however, is a little-known effect of our backwards energy attitudes of previous administrations. What needs to be brought to light are the harmful health effects being caused by fossil fuel burning and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) release. What will be clear then is not only are we threatening the future of our planet and sustainability of resources, but the human health condition has suffered because of our environmental policies.
The burning of fossil fuel and related emissions has long been suspected to threaten respiratory health. It should be no surprise then that asthma rates are markedly higher in known high-pollution areas such as Los Angeles and surrounding area. Skin cancer rates in places like South Africa and Australia are similarly high due to depleted ozone in the atmosphere, an effect of CFC release.
Then there is another level of consequences. Industries which harm our environment, such as oil refineries and coal plants, are among the most hazardous working conditions. Asbestos and benzene are used extensively in these industries in older piping and fixtures. In recent years there has been a rise of the asbestos cancer known as mesothelioma in oil refinery workers, due largely to occupational exposures to asbestos.
These are clear cause and effect examples of how our environmental attitudes and policies are harming us and our health. The next phase of our energy and environmental policies and legislation needs to account for these facts. Renewable energy sources will eliminate a dependence on dirty (and unsafe) industries like oil and petroleum processing. We must push for these because soon we need to realize that we’re not only threatening the planet of our children and posterity, but also the health of her inhabitants today.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center
January 27th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
hmp!so environmentally destructing!
January 28th, 2009 at 8:44 am
The concentrations of people that live in specific areas who are afflicted with specific types of cancer are very telling. We are poisoning the world.
January 28th, 2009 at 9:20 am
That is very hot subject,
We always rely on the government in these issues,
But I think that this is the right time for each individual in particular to take some measures,
I am no longer feel that I live good life when just working and follow government's rules,
Lets change the future!
Our potential is endless, and we can survive without a job, ( no more taxes ) working on yourself and doing what we consider to be right ,
Government is already in the past
January 28th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I thought CFCs were banned because of ozone depletion in the Montreal Protocol?
January 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
[...] An Era of Consequences Focus Organic speaks about the health and environmental consiquence caused by fossil fuel burning chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) release. [...]
January 30th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Pollution is a huge problem all over the world. It's not just the burning of fossils and the CFC gasses but almost every other aspect of the different industries.
I hope that Obama's team will help reduce the US pollution problem drastically over the next few years. Unfortunately I don't feel that confident that he'll be able to do that.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I agree completely. Allergies in general have gotten much worse and I am not convinced that it is to plants, but actually pollution. Renewble energy for our electricity can't come soon enough.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
What an incredible article! I think it is time we all realize that there are severe and time-specific consequences that are already quite visible in our society. It is vital that we all band together and try to change our lives one step at a time. We are trying our very best to create awareness in our community and in our own lives. It has gotten to be a cliche recently, but it is time to attach a true sense of urgency when discussing this topic, and I am proud to see this happening!
Fighting Footprints
http://www.fightingfootprints.blogspot.com
February 4th, 2009 at 1:24 am
The Mesothelioma has becoming a great issue that we all should be concerned about it!
However, I believe that the day free from any CFC will be arriving very soon...