Greenpeace Coins New Word for Politicians Who Bend to Polluters

By B. McPherson


Greenpeace has come up with a new word to describe politicians who bend to the influence of big business whose business often includes laying waste to the environment – polluticians. In a press release they come out swinging against those who acquiesce to the polluters either by collusion or ignoring the problems. In their report Who’s Holding Us Back, they outline steps that the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa that the delegates should institute in order to ensure that rampant pollution does not continue. The UN conference starts November 28 and ends December 9th 

A summary of Greenpeace directives follows:
"• Ensure a peak in global emissions by 2015
• Emission reductions: Close the gap between politics and science
• Ensure that the Kyoto Protocol continues and provide a mandate for a comprehensive legally binding instrument
• Deliver the necessary climate finance
• Set up a framework for protecting forests in developing countries
• Address the needs of the most vulnerable countries and communities
• Ensure global cooperation on technology and energy finance
• Ensure international transparency in assessing and monitoring country commitments and actions
• Ensure transparency, democracy and full participation in the UNFCCC process"Greenpeace

 While the goals are admirable and even necessary to preserve the quality of life that many of us enjoy, it has been a minor business expense for some polluting corporations to destroy ecosystems and either pay no fines or only token fines. Previous UN conferences on climate change have not brought about a concerted will to change the way ‘things are done’.

There are various web sites that list most polluted countries. Many emerging economies would fall into that category in their rush to modernize, but some places in the developed countries are appallingly despoiled as well. There are no countries who can point fingers at others here.

Environmental degradation results in a lowering of the day to day enjoyment of the people, but more importantly contributes to cancers, birth defects, compromised crops and elimination of fisheries, to name a few serious consequences.
Location: South Africa

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