Smog in Asia North America

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   Easy Exerciseposted 10 years ago

   I have been closely following the smog around the world from a website that produces up to the minute details.
   
   The facts are scarey and we as global citizens I feel need to know that is happening to our environment.
   
   The website is: http://aqicn.org/ but I am attaching some morning photos.
   
   I don't know if a Saturday analysis is fair to North America so I will have to try this again next wee.
   
   What are your thoughts and experiences with smog?
   
   
   
   
   
   

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      Onusonusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I deplore the notion of a "global citizenry". Nations have boarders for many very good reasons. If you want to see what the intentions of a global political government are then look no further than the rising global power created in the form of the United Nations. This is, after all, the manifestation of a global one world order is it not?
      How about taking a look at what the UN has in store for America in order to implement their solution for "sustainable development".
       
      
      There are a lot of special colors on this map that represent the different intentions of our globally empowered one world government for the use of the land.
      But most importantly are those tiny little black spots. They are Kind of hard to see right?
      But if you look closely enough you can see them hanging out around the bay area in California, and up around the Puget Sound in Washington. There is one next to the southern end of Lake Michigan, and it looks like Manhattan island will be completely blacked out.
      
      Those little black dots are where the people (your fellow global citizens) will be tightly packed together in small cells, not unlike the living arrangements of your local penitentiary.
      Doesn't that just sound cozy?  Hanging out shoulder to shoulder with 300 million Americans, your income is regulated, as is education, (because educated people have been proven to use more resources than uneducated people), right down to the amount of food you consume.
      
      In fact Bill Gates himself suggested that in order to reduce carbon emissions to zero you have to reduce one of these factors to zero. Either People, services per person, or Energy used per service. And the goal is to get the rate down to zero. 
      
      Sounds like a great idea if you're a genocidal maniac. But that's the answer.

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         Easy Exerciseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Fascinating viewpoint. I appreciate the input. I believe in people and if people are given the opportunity for working together fruitfully they will. The problem is getting the opportunity in front of them.
         I don't under the zero goal - the environment is strong that! We need a team effort with reasonable group goals.

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            Onusonusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Well if you really want to help the environment we can start by allowing industry to dig for oil in America rather than supporting terrorist countries like Saudi Arabia. Those are the guys who ran planes into our buildings killing thousands of Americans.
            
            Also we should begin to deregulate the coal industry to make it more competitive against our counterparts in smog filled China. If we are able to produce energy in a cheap and clean way in America it would send a clear message to those countries who produce it in an unclean way.
            
            You see the people are going to demand affordable energy regardless of where it comes from and you can't stop them. And since wind mills don't work, that means oil, natural gas, and coal are the means. It is up to the people to decide who and where we get it from.
            
            I say we stop supporting terrorists and communists and get our resources from within our own boarders.

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               GA Andersonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               iI say we stop supporting terrorists and communists and get our resources from within our own boarders.
               
               You make a good point.... but there are a whole lot if ifs: between your scenario and reality. 
               
               GA

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                  Onusonusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Well we can certainly discuss it. What do you think about the UN's agenda for sustainable development?

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         GA Andersonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I don't have much to say about the entirety of your comment ...+
         
         Bit I liked this part...
         
         "I deplore the notion of a "global citizenry". Nations have boarders for many very good reasons. ;..."
         
         GA

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   oceansnsunsetsposted 10 years ago

   I grew up in Southern California.  I know what its like to live with smog, and to see even worse pockets of it just a bit inland where it gets caught.  We ought to fight it.  When I went away once to North Eastern Georgia for the first time in the fall, I literally couldn't stop looking up at the blue sky.  The leaves against the blue sky made me feel like I was in heaven!  It was crisp and the air seemed good to breathe. 
   
   I think we forget about little things like good water and good air, which are actually the hugest kinds of things!  I found the information you shared interesting.  I think its a good thing for people to not be allowed to drive around in cars and trucks that are pumping more black smoke (ongoing) into the environment.  Its not "free" to us to do that, even if we don't mind grey/brown skies. 
   
   Flying back home to California, a place mind you, that has laws on getting cars checked all the time, can be alarming.  I can't imagine the places that ranked so much worse.  It makes me want to go and plant a bunch of trees or something, as what can we do?

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      Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      …wait! what about California air? I thought it was pretty clear these days!!!?? Not like in the late 60's when you literally couldn't breathe and your eyes constantly watered. I will never forget the feel of "smog in your lungs" after swim team practice in Jr. High! Also, you couldn't see very far. The regulations here have improved air quality drastically.
      What state do you live in now O.S. and is it clearer than here?

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         oceansnsunsetsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Kathryn, well now yes in fairness, I think it is probably a lot better than you described it used to be.  I am thinking in the 70's and 80's, and early 90's......   According to the maps above, its nothing like in other parts of the world, thankfully! I am in the Midwest now, and have pretty good blue skies when skies are clear.  Today was beautiful for instance.  But then you also see more polluters driving around, as they don't maybe have as much regulation as in California?  I am just not sure for sure.  Yes, I can recall how it was to breathe after swimming too!  I am thinking particularly at the moment about Ontario airport area in Southern California.... The last time I was there, I was horrified at the air quality, it was really bad.  You couldn't see far.  It was maybe two decades ago though now?  Guessing...  Anyway, I am there only sporadically, and I think you are right.  It is much better than it was before.  Which is good news, especially when you have coastal breezes blowing in, which should blow some of it off I would think. 
         
         Several years ago, the foam on the water at the beach kind of alarmed me and my kids...  it was after the big disaster in Japan though, and who knows what that was about.  If any state is on top of this stuff though, I would think California would be.  As for my own state, in the downtown area, I am concerned it is a little more grey looking at times due to smog.    Talk about eye opening, or bursting a bubble.  It can be bad anywhere where pollutants are being put into the air.

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      Easy Exerciseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Fascinating history lessons on California air quality.
      
      I can only relate via Lake Michigan water quality. Oh, foam in the water in California sounds horrendous. I was in California and experienced the oil spill and the beaches were impassable. Hadn't thought of that for years until you mentioned the foam in the water.
      
      We can avoid the recreations waterways but the air we breath is a necessity.
      
      I see this as a global concern, crossing boundaries where the information on the internet is the best defense. Knowing a problem exist is the first step to solving it.
      
      Thank you so much for sharing and contributing - it means allot.

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