In my backyard

I often end up passing this power plant on the way to quiet county roads. Cycling that is.  Exercising... breathing deep.  The power plant above, the one I cycle by, was ranked as the 11th dirtiest coal plant in the nation.

And just last week, I read this headline, "Huge Drop in Chinese Birth Defects After Local Coal Plant Closes." Kenny Luna wrote in the article "...Chinese children born after the closure of a local coal plant have found themselves with 60% less development problems such as motor skill coordination than those born prior to the closing."  Anecdotal connection, for sure.  But, wow, that's pretty good.  I think most people would take those results any day.

Arguments against addressing global warming echo in my head...thanks Fritz. Coal plants are obviously polluters in more locations than China and Lawrence. Such plants are the target for many of the suggested actions attempting to deal with global warming.  The famous case of the denied coal plants in our state of Kansas is only one famous example.  Many people are outraged.

Outraged about what?  Those kids in China are the recipients of a coal plant closure that it appears will improve, sorry, already has improved their health and quality of life; and will for years to come.  And likewise, if we, in Lawrence, Kansas could be so lucky to find our air, water and environment healthier for our children would we not find that a good thing as well?

I know what the outcomes of fighting global warming can be: clean air, clean water, healthy environment. Better lives for our children. Even if we are wrong about global warming in the end...wow, the outcome still seems pretty good. I wonder, what outcomes the anti-global warming folks see as a result of their efforts to fight against taking action. What qualities of life on earth are they finding desirable in a world where they are right?

Comments

[Steve]

Janet! That's what puzzles me. Many folks who make the anti-global-warming argument as young people who I can't imagine have anything to gain personally from the outcome of the argument they make...can't make sense out of that.

[Janet]

More money for them, of course!