From this weekend and going into the next, there will be a lot of attention focused on the environment as Earth Day approaches this coming Sunday. Usually when you think 'Earth Day' you imagine activists, peaceniks, statements from environmental organizations and the occasional politician that generally pays lip service to the issue. This year things are a little different. Joining in the chorus to protect our planet is a group of retired U.S. Generals who agree we need to do something. Even if their concern is based on war game scenarios that are looking increasingly likely, at least they are on the right side of the issue and are talking about it.
From the BBC:
Writing in the report, Gen Zinni, a former commander of US Central Command, says: "It's not hard to make the connection between climate change and instability, or climate change and terrorism."
He adds: "We will pay for this one way or another. We will pay to reduce greenhouse gas emissions today, and we'll have to take an economic hit of some kind.
"Or we will pay the price later in military terms. And that will involve human lives. There will be a human toll."
The report was issued by a Virginia-based national security think-tank, The CNA Corporation, and was written by six retired admirals and five retired generals.
It is good to add a little more common sense to the issue that already has tons of it from climate scientists and environmental activists. The question is, will this report push President Bush to act on one of the most serious problems of our times? If the response resembles anything like how he treats his Generals when they disagree with him on Iraq....well, I'm not crossing my fingers.
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