Comments KT82 has made

  • Don't forget the CO2 IN the soda

    I know that at least some of the CO2 in the soda is sourced from ammonia production facilities (where CO2 is a byproduct).  This means that the CO2 is a made from natural gas (and I feel certain that the majority of the CO2 is produced from natural gas or petroleum). This means that drinking soda and burping out that CO2 is not a whole lot different than combusting the petroleum product.On Umbra on diet soda posted 1 year, 3 months ago 13 Responses

  • The CAA Works

    I agree with Wolverine's explanation as to why the regulating body must issue permits.  However, I would like to disagree with his assessment of the Clean Air Act.  The premise behind the permitting process is that industry pollutes and that pollution must be regulated.  Wolverine asserts that we can transform society into something in which human beings no longer pollutant.  However, this is simply impossible.  We can transform society into one in which we are substantially less toxic and live within the means of the earth, but we cannot eliminate pollution.  Without pollution we cannot have metal, concrete, or glass.  We cannot eat, walk on dry ground, or use fire.

    The CAA has successfully set up a number of programs which limit industrial pollutants.  For instance, industry, especially the most polluting, have been required to install many types of control.  Most control devices decrease pollution by 80 - 99.9%. And the CAA is designed to reduce pollution over time.  National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are routinely reviewed and reduced.  Granted, the process is painfully slow and at times controversial, but once a NAAQS is set, states must work hard to meet these limits, and implement many new regulations if they are in nonattainment.

    Additionally, individuals may influence environmental regulations.  EPA and state agencies have public notices and public hearings for new regulations that arise out of the existing framework.  Additionally, environmental groups have been successful in enforcing the laws (in their most conservative interpretation) through lawsuits.  And entirely new requirements can be created through the federal, state, and local legislative processes, including laws that outlaw specific industrial processes or fund new technologies.  Representatives may be lobbied to increase enforcement funding.

    Of course the system is not perfect.  It is slow, it requires consensus, it does not question the underlying structure of our industrial system, it can be undermined by politicians who do not respect the environment, and, of course, greenhouse gases are currently left out of the picture.  However, we have made significant strides over time, and I believe will continue to do so.On EPA OKs giant coal plant on Navajo land in New Mexico posted 1 year, 3 months ago 6 Responses