Blacks urged to join climate debateBy Bo Petersen (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Brad Nettles Sam Campbell of McClellanville, an advocate on environmental issues, believes that the black community needs to get involved in climate concerns. Video
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and others talk about the environmental, economic and health need for black Americans to get involved in climate change issues. Then they tour a Clemson University experimental biofuel field growing switchgrass. Watch » Issues pollA recent poll of 750 blacks found climate change was not a paramount issue for many:
"What is the most important problem facing the country?" The economy, 42 percent Rising gas prices, 17 percent Global warming, 5 percent FLORENCE— When former vice president Al Gore talked about climate change, a lot of people in the South Santee community didn't pay much mind, Sam Campbell said. "You see it, but it went over your head," said the resident of the community near McClellanville. "When it's hard living on a $500-per-month fixed income, hard to pay the light bill, pay for (natural) gas, go to town and buy gasoline, that's when it hits home." That's the notion behind the Commission to Engage African-Americans on Climate Change, an effort led by environmental groups to bring carbon fuels and the debate into the voting forefront of people in black communities. They tend to produce less carbon emissions than other groups but pay a steeper price in economic, health and environmental impacts, studies suggest. Those are the people along the I-95 corridor that U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., represents, he said. "We know that here in South Carolina we have a disparity in health care," Clyburn said. They are the "fuel poor," said S.C. Rep. Terry Alexander, of Florence. The Carolina Climate Network held a press conference Wednesday to get the word out, then took Clyburn, Alexander and members of environmental organizations on a tour of an experimental switchgrass field at the Clemson University PeeDee Research Center in Florence, to highlight the potential biofuel. It's a native South Carolina plant and can boost agriculture revenue. Clyburn restated his opposition to opening new areas offshore for oil and gas drilling, calling it sacrificing long-term solutions for a quick fix. He championed funding research at universities to develop biofuels like switchgrass and sugar cane. Those are solutions that can help people along I-95, environmentally and economically, he said. "We have to bring in communities that will be more affected, make them part of the decision-making," Clyburn said. "It's affecting everybody, not only African-Americans," said Campbell, who attended the press conference as a member of the McClellanville Kitchen Table Climate Study Group, a grassroots advocate on environmental issues. "The thing about it in my community is, we have a lot of people on fixed income. If (they're) hurting, sooner or later you're going to be hurting too." Reach Bo Petersen at 745-5852 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 45 comment(s)
Posted by lou9 on August 21, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The tree huggers say that CO2 emissions are the main contributor to global warming. Here's a way to eliminate a lot of that: all you blowhard idiots stop breathing and emitting your b.s. The Commission to engage African-Americans on climate change? Give me a break. Fuel poor? Heck, I'm fuel poor every time I go to the gas station.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why does the race card always have to be a factor??? People are people...another story that is f'ing ridiculous!
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nope, Nope, nope. Scientist do not know nothing about that there climate.......if it is not convenient to ME, it cann't be true...Rush said so himself.
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only morons are the ones that still think global warming is a hoax.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I almost peed I laughed so hard..I swanee that was f'ing harsh, but f'ing funny!
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The thing is republican likes deny any problems that are not convenient to them; really, who has more to benefit by proving global warming is a hoax? Maybe it is the Big Oil? They have the money to dispute it, pay scientist to refute it, so forth and so on.
tripsa,
Talk about scare tactics to gain power? The republicans wrote the book on it. 9/11, war on terror, SCARE TACTICS!
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, for those of you that do not that humans can have a detrimental effect on the environment, should visit Australia: salt water intrusion, the problem with introducing not native species (cane toads), son on and so forth.
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
......buy the way, tripsa, did you ever noticed how many times Bushie said terror during the last election?
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good lord, first it's race, then it's politics...where and how the hell will religion come into this?? Come on people I know there is some numb nut out there who can tie it in. Please!!! I need another laugh.
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by number1volsfan1 on August 21, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"What does a cane toad and salt water intrusion have to do with global warming?
See, you liberals just flip and spin , flip and spin. Obama is an expert at it!"
I'm just showing examples on how humans have caused detrimental changes to the environmental in past.
This goes out to all of you that think humans unable to cause harmful effect to the environment (which I have heard before on this site), I could have actually gave hundreds of examples, but Australia is a great case study on how humans have really screwed up the environment.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was that an attempt at some religious inflection CB? Or good old blasphemy at work? Either way, the God of beer is welcome in my home on Sundays(and any other day).
Posted by JohnS on August 21, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The forum should also include Latinos who live off Remount road and burn their trash.
Posted by sc4peace on August 21, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GuidedbyStewart- I'm with ya on this one- Global warming is clearly evident...who cares if Polar bears can swim- the ice caps are melting like ice cubes and their is scientific evidence that the o-zone layer is being depleted. Scary stuff
Posted by sc4peace on August 21, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
number1volsfan1- I agree with you as well- terrorism is very real and scary- National Security alone changed who I am voting for this year-
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by number1volsfan1 on August 21, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrorists attacking America, Iran nuking Israel, America becoming a country guided by Shia law; that is scary stuff, not whether a glacier in northern Canada will exist 500 years from now!
Why do you don't think it is a problem? Yep, sounds like your standard, self serving conservative statement. Where to you think the water goes from a glacier when it melts? One thing that many of you conservative don't seem to understand... Ignoring problems and not being proactive will cost you more money in the long run. Now, doesn't it that go against the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility. What about money for flood insurance on coastal property, not problem, hugh Vol? What about the eventual relocation of billions of people, oh that will not cost much. yep, does not seem like a problem to me.
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, I don't think that the republicans have handled the war on terror very well either, but that is a topic for another discussion.
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vol,
It does take rocket science to know that when water melts on land it has to go somewhere. H2O takes up the same volume, whether it is ice or water. If the ice melts on land and goes into the ocean, eventually the sea levels will raise. That is just pure logic.
http://globalclimatechange.jpl.nasa.gov/...
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cypress_jones,
I know that H2O has the same volume, whether it is ice or water.
True, the arctic is an ocean and when the ice melts it will not affect the volume, but Antarctica, Greenland, the cascades, the ice is on land and when it melts the water goes into the ocean.
Also, do your same experiment, though this time, put the ice on some type of floating device and see if the water level changes when the ice melts and the jar, bucket or what ever.
Posted by DoaMM on August 21, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm, how to bring religion into this...<pondering>...
Oh! God, Allah, and the Kwanzaa dude each have their drinks (represented by the oceans) sitting on a table by the "heavenly" pool. While all of them are gabbing about the chick in the bikini that just showed up to soak up some rays, God realizes that he's almost out of ice. He reaches into the cooler, scoops a couple cubes out and plops them into his glass.
Now since we know that a century on Earth can equal a day in heaven, then we could understand that God, Allah, and the Kwanzaa dude have to replenish the ice in their glasses 4 or 5 times a day, as long as it's not an especially hot day.
That's why the Earth has cooling/warming periods every 15-30 years. If there has been any sudden increase in the speed of this warming period, it just must be a really hot and humid day by the pool in Heaven...and that either means that the Devil is over for a swim, or Heaven is located in Charleston, SC.
Done!
Posted by sc4peace on August 21, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quit categorizing everyone who is not a conservative Republican as an athiest who has no love and respect for this nation! I am so so freakin sick of it!!!!I belive in God, I love our country, I love our troops and yet I don't agree with a lot of the ridiculous "moral standards" put forth by some of the conservative Christian Republicans on this board...It is ignorant and close-minded to assume that all those who don't believe exactly like you are the same- everyone has different opinions about different things-and that's just how the world works- I repect every one of your opinions and you should repect the fact that others think for themselves- If you are so quick to dismiss scientific proof of anything- where is this big, wonderful ark you have been searching for for so long? Just curious
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LMAO DoaMM, you rose to the challenge. Of course, I don't know what any of that bullcocky meant.
Good job though, A+ for effort!!
Posted by DoaMM on August 21, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
C_J wrote:
"BTW: Going from the frying pan to the fire is technically "change"."
Oh, so true. You know, like when you're engaged and then you get married? All the sudden stuff changes and your new bride lights a fire under your arse to help with some chick stuff she needs to do.
I'll take the heat from a fire, but I just don't want Obama as my new bride...That's all I'm sayin'...
Posted by guidedbystewart on August 21, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tripsa
Stop drinking the right winged (notice I didn't post reich, trying to be nice for a change) kool aid and post an original thought for a change, we all know that you are an expert of cutting and pasting propaganda you have stored on yout hard drive, but really, it would be about the same difference if I posted stored info from moveon.org, and to you guys it would not give any validity to our argument (like your post gives validity to yours).
By the way, lunch was great, Duke's Barbeque!
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I found this article very late. My first reaction to the title was: Do they not think that black people can think for themselves? Geez, they are not hiding in caves, and they can easily make the decision whether they want to get on this bandwagon or not. What an insult to the black community as a whole.
Posted by madd_dog2020 on August 21, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by eyfigueroa on August 21, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm here. Does that count?
You non-Blacks were so busy insulting one another on everything from politics to religion that the rest of US couldn't get a word in edgewise.
I will applaud 'tripsa' for this quote: "People are getting smart on the BS behind MMGW, and that is exactly why AlGore, is trying to recruit "minoritys" because just like most leftist, he thinks the black community isnt smart enough to do their research... But he is wrong. Black Americans are waking up to the abuse by the left and the democrats taking them for granted!"
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO REGULARLY POST ON THIS BOARD WHO DIDN'T LUMP ALL BLACKS INTO SOME SORT OF CONVENIENT CATEGORY!
Thank you!
Everyone takes the blacks for granted, not just the Democrats, you need to get wise.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good post eyf. This shouldn't be a race issue. I'll say it again, people are people! Now there may be stupid people, smart people, asswipe people and lovely people. But I am sick and tired of race always playing an issue. Why can't we all just get along?
Posted by madd_dog2020 on August 21, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If people were people, then cab drivers would pick-up blacks; store owners would not follow blacks around in their stores, or people would not cross over to the other side of the street when you see them coming. eyfigueroa, you need to go and find a clue because it seems like you lost one.
Posted by madd_dog2020 on August 21, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good post eyf. This shouldn't be a race issue. I'll say it again, people are people! Now there may be stupid people, smart people, asswipe people and lovely people. But I am sick and tired of race always playing an issue. Why can't we all just get along?
Thats a GOOD BOY eyfifueroa!!! It seems like you won approval from all who write BS on every subject, every day; the know it all's. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF, NEVER CHANGE TO PLEASE OTHERS OR TO FIT IN.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I need to call my best friend, who is black, and tell her she needs to get on board with this stuff. Just like I had to tell her that she shouldn't join the NAACP!
Posted by ln1959 on August 21, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by tripsa on August 21, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Newt "No trippin we just have to stop dumping raw feces and piss into the ocean! SIMPLE!"
------------------------------------------------------------
Well, thats tells me who knows nothing about the military. Where you thing the sewage from the ships go.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mad Dog...don't get your bone smoking panties in a wad. Some of us do see past color.
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do they not think that black people can think for themselves? Sorry, That should have read, can't not can.
My apologies, that really sounded bad.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they can get the NAACP on board and all the rest of the blacks will follow suit. We all know that the NAACP speaks for them all! Well, at least some of them, the rest listen to the Black Panthers and their hate speech giving pastors.
Posted by crankyyankee on August 21, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since the Earth has warmed and cooled numerous times in it's history and long before man appeared, I wonder what caused the previous fluctuations?
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe they can get the NAACP on board and all the rest of the blacks will follow suit. We all know that the NAACP speaks for them all! Well, at least some of them, the rest listen to the Black Panthers and their hate speech giving pastors.
Please tell me that was sarcasm? That was probably one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard in my life.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BCMO3, yeah it was...glad you caught it.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah.. I had a sigh of relief in your honor!
CB, excellent point! You seem to be one smart fella. Must be all of the brain cells you are rehabilitating with beer.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BCMO3,
I know I should have said {end sarcasm} to cut down on the confusion, so the blame's on me. Truth is my husband and best friend (who is my sister from another mister) are black and I see all of these stereotypes being tossed around so I decided to give it a go to show how ridiculous it sounds.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eyfig, Mmm hmm, (snaps fingers) you go girlfriend. Tell him like it T-I is! Sounded like he was calling you an Uncle Tom, but you calmed that DOG down quick, fast, and in a hurry! I ain't mad at ya!
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyf...Your post before the submariners one ROCKED!!! I nearly choked on my coffee.
As for submariners going deeper....that can be construed a couple of different ways regardless of water.
And eyf, I am not in the Army, but was a contractor for the Army NG, I believe the battle cry is HOOAH! They gave me a shirt they use for recruitment with it on there so I wouldn't forget. Like a late 30's something post Navy chick would join the Army National Guard...pfffft.
But again, excellent post, my children didn't live here before we moved back here 4 years ago, and they were stunned at the mindset of many of the people here. They grew up in Southern California & Maryland near DC and had never heard racial slurs in common practice, other than in rap music on the radio....it's ridiculous when you see ignorance all around you.
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyf, you are so right about 'both sides of the fence'
I say they need to take down the damn fence and move on. We all have to live here and coexist...life's too short to harbor hate.
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 21, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eyfig, I get told that I talk white all the time...oh shyt...I am white!!!
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah_I_said_it, I had a black girl tell me one time that I spoke badly for a white girl. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what she meant.
I can speak the queen's English, Geechie, and I even can speak some Gullah, so I ain't be fo no what she was trying to tell me.
No offense intended to anyone of any color. I like colorful people. :)
Posted by Yeah_I_said_it on August 22, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gul I know zactly whatchu be meanin'!
Posted by rollo on August 22, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no man-made climate change, and most folks have enough sense to know that.