Taking a Haircut for Our Grandchildren
It may be controversial, but it’s the best we’ve got. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) provides a way to numerically rate each of the globe’s countries by their overall greenness, or lack thereof. Not surprisingly, Switzerland is first, the U.S. is 39th, while China is down at No. 105 and India comes in at 120th.
The EPI rates everything from air, water, health of its citizens, agriculture, impact on climate change, ecosystem vitality, among others. It was produced by a group of top environmental scientists with grants from major foundations.
EPI’s findings quantify a situation we all know exists: how can the less populated, wealthy, developed countries demand that the other less developed countries follow suit in drastically reducing carbon emissions to save the planet? Especially those like China and India who are giving birth to a middle class numbering in the hundreds of millions. Many countries that did poorly on the EPI are producing consumer goods for U.S. shelves that are exported since we don’t want to build them here and it is dramatically cheaper. The classic NIMBY (not in my backyard) scenario, indeed.
Experts and pundits from venture capitalist Vinod Khosla to President Obama himself have delved into this issue with the same conclusion – all countries must participate in setting environmental policy and they must do it now. In my view, one thing is clear: rich or poor, from the most advanced to the most primal, all citizens of the world and their governments must make lifestyle changes to clean up the planet. This is a global problem, not a time to point fingers at "who's done what & when". Otherwise, our grandchildren if not our children won’t be left with a whole lot to work with. They will be wishing they could turn back to a time when there were options.
The time is now for all countries to accept that their economies must take a bit of a haircut in the name of environmental responsibility. How much value will the super stringent vehicle emissions regulations in California have when on the other side of our world, millions of new drivers will be putting cars and trucks on the road that have antiquated pollution control systems? We need to bear in mind that our relatively small population of around 330 million is absolutely dwarfed by India and China’s billions. Soon enough, these countries carbon emissions will make the Western world appear miniscule. Without comparable cleanup standards and subsidies in the Chinas, Indonesias, and Indias, what’s the point for the rest of us to drive hybrids and acquire solar panels?
This clearly needs to be a worldwide effort, with everybody putting aside their own immediate priorities for the greater good. This is not strictly magnanimous, nor is it the naive ranting of a tree hugger. If we don’t all clean it up, and soon, it will be a moot point – by the year 2050 or even sooner in my opinion.
Two key confabs – the G20 conference in Pittsburgh, which is happening as we speak, and the revisiting of the Kyoto accord (let’s hope the U.S. signs this time) which is slated for Copenhagen in December – will hopefully be the first major steps in a global initiative to this end. While economic concerns need to be balanced with environmental policy, we may not have the luxury of arguing about it for 10 or 15 years for it will be too late.
Follow Jennifer Schwab on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SCGreen_Home
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"Shouldn't we be first in setting a green example? I think placing 39th should be a wake up call for our country."
Couldn't disagree more. If you understood the criteria, you'd know that being first is impossible. And again, the number rating shouldn't and doesn't matter.
If being first is impossible, then why is there a number 1 green country? It's not impossible, Americans are just too lazy to be doing anything productive.
"i think efficient cars could give our economy addition jobs, however it will derail a lot a lot of companies and people. the issue with striving to be more efficient is that all associated trades and industries must be willing to compromise. but honestly, i just dont think they're willing to do that."
I completely agree!l
The EPI rates everything from air, water, health of its citizens, agriculture, impact on climate change, ecosystem vitality, among others. It was produced by a group of top environmental scientists with grants from major foundations.
When did these EPI scientists become a credible, reliable source as to which countries should be placed where? Not to demean them, but again, the emphasis on the placements isn't what's most important. Improving on the general criteria of this "test" is what's important.
http://www.350.org/
this is an interesting site that discusses climate awareness and what people can do internationally contribute for the greater good.
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS SITE! This is an awesome site that I think can make a huge difference! Everyone should check it out!
Great! You can go online and sign a pledge with them and then implement sustainable practices throughout the week! Get your neighborhood and your friend involved!
Cool...more people should know about this site.
I wasn't aware of this site, and I like to go to all the green sites I can so thanks for posting that!
I actually have a friend who participated in the 350.org campaign. So cool that countries are coming together to make this world a better place to live in.
if we decide to make cars more efficient and decrease our emissions to better the world... who will fund the manufacturing of efficient cars and the recycling of others?
im not sure if making cars more efficient will help with the economy or the goal making the planet sustainable. what do you guys think?
i think efficient cars could give our economy addition jobs, however it will derail a lot a lot of companies and people. the issue with striving to be more efficient is that all associated trades and industries must be willing to compromise. but honestly, i just dont think they're willing to do that.
As is in the name of the game-- supply and demand. Now, there is an economy demanding...screaming for energy efficiency, sustainability, our children's health, jobs...... it's up to companies (and developing companies) to begin supplying this for us!
Talk to Ford, GMC, Chevy-- they all need something to do to build their business! I think this actually presents a great opportunity for the car-makers to create an industry that recycles, reuses, and reduces emissions as a green industry is on the rise!
many car plants have adopted a lot of sustainable practices like CFLS, green roofs, recycled carpet and cement. its booming... im in michigan and its booooooming
wow, great question. what does happen to old cars?
Probably just taking up space in a landfill.
I'm sure someone would look into it. People are catching on to green business- it will happen.
I never thoght of THAT!!
I think this information is important, but not important for the reasons people are making it. The rankings mean nothing. But I absolutely believe that it is time for that haircut that Jennifer is speaking of. The time is definitely now, I'm just a little disturbed by what everyone here seems to be focused on. Forget the rating and understand the true message behind what needs to be done.
But the ratings ARE important! I see what you're getting at though- we all had and have a responsibility to this Earth both of which we're lagging at. Now with these ratings we can see where we stand and ultimately improve.
i agree, the ratings are important that way we know how horrible we've done and how much better we can do!
I'll be honest, I don't really know what G20 is. I had never heard of it before Jennifer's post. But I do think we need to cut emissions....so I guess I'm for it? I wish Jennifer had a little more information about it in her article. I definitely need to do some more research now.
The G20 was in Pittsburgh, PA this year-- you should have seen what Greenpeace did at it....then got arrested for. It was a nice statement though I don't know what good came out of it.
you mean the sign? i thought it was pretty cool... i really think that those kind of things are great for getting attention of the masses. however, getting arrested is any fun :)
i totally didnt know whtat g20 was eitherrrrr!!!!!!!!
Nice read. Really makes you think about how the U.S's effort to be green can be offset by the pollution that the really populated countries produce (like India and China)
Ya, and with their populations as high as they are, I think they have other things to worry about besides cutting carbon emissions. First one problem, then the other. Curbing the population growth could alleviate so many of the problems developing countries have.
Someone has to set the bar, and like the bloggers have said above, it will be step by step--one problem addressed and then another.
What an intriguing point about how our driving hybrids and stuff doesn't really make a difference if other countries like China aren't doing much to be green. But I think we should at least make an effort to feel like we are making a difference.
It may be counteractive if one person drives a hybrid while the other a hummer, but look at it this way: what if no-one was driving a hybrid? Then instead of being at 0, we'd be at 2. I think every little bit helps!
You are so right flowerchild. Every little thing makes a difference. Even if just one person in the whole world drove a hybrid that still less carbon in the air.
39th place?!? That seems a little low. Isn't the US one of the wealthiest nations in the world, if not the wealthiest. Why are we only 39th then? That's sad.
I agree with ya Jennifer, China and India needs to clean up their act. But I find this implausible since they have so many other problems to deal with.
They can try at least or other countries could help them out?
@Abi.... You're putting too much emphasis on the placement of the U.S. as it pertains to this list. I feel if the rest of the world is making improvements(along with the U.S.), I think that's most important.
Shouldn't we be first in setting a green example? I think placing 39th should be a wake up call for our country.
Good point. Maybe placement shouldn't be the focus. We may be 39th but how far behind are we really? I wonder if there is a better way to keep track of where we really are as a country in this whole thing.
I'm sure the US is pretty far behind the number 1 country.
I definitely believe it's time for a haircut! There's so many problems and issues that come along with what we all want to accomplish whether your issues are money or conservation. Education I believe is the middle ground and by "education", I mean both sides knowing what truly can happen to our planet if changes aren't made. We want to make money(as individuals and as a country), but at what costs? How can both sides come together, make the best decision, and walk away happy?
i think awareness really is key. when i first started taking enviro courses in college i learned so much to the point where now it kinda ruined my life. but in a good way! when i see something like a plasctic bottle liying or anything i HAVE to recyle it cuz if not it kills me to know i could have done something and i just left it as litteer on the streets :-(
This is a great call out to the citizens of the world which should seriously be looked at and acted upon!
I agree with Vegasgrl. The emissions from China is being supported by the U.S. It's not fair to ask them to cut their emissions when we rely so much on their products being shipped here.
It is fair to ask them to cut their emissions-- they can figure out a cleaner way, or we threaten to end exports from them! Just like one of Jennifer's recent post's about Wal-Mart steppin their foot down on their suppliers: they are telling them to go green or go to another chain.
No kidding! It's not like all of those rising industries in China aren't going to trade so we're are definitely playing a huge role in their growth.
Good point! We need to rely on them less oooorrr we need to stop buying imports that aren't sustainably made.
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