by Maceo Carrillo-Martinez
Daily Lobo columnist
According to scholars who study the Mayan calendar, we are in a period in which communication is vitally important to our survival. With wars draining the land of wealth and history and the heated debates around global warming, our ability to communicate is more important than ever. It seems like the Mayans knew how to predict.
For example, take the recent events leading up to the G8 Summit next week in Scotland - the meeting of the eight wealthiest, most industrialized countries in the world. United States officials have succeeded in pressuring the other G8 nations - which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia - to change the wording of a joint proposal regarding cutbacks on greenhouse gas emissions that would prevent global warming. These G8 countries represent a mere 13 percent of the world's population, but generate 45 percent of the planet's greenhouse gas emissions.
Sections of the proposal that were changed included one that read, "The earth is experiencing significant climate change," which was changed to "The earth may be experiencing climate change." Other sections that explained how global warming is linked to increased drought and flooding in certain parts of the world were replaced with comments that were more vague and less urgent. Language that detailed the ways in which rising temperatures are affecting various parts of the globe were deleted.
The final proposal to the G8 Summit, as modified under the watchful eye of the United States, is completely playing down the urgency of the problem and the measures necessary to protect the earth from global warming.
What does this say about our government officials, as they stretch language and misuse communication to play down the concerns of the majority of the general public and the scientific community?
For another example of this widespread message manipulation, look to Philip Cooney, the Chief of Staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, an office that shapes much of America's environmental policy. Cooney is reported to have repeatedly edited government climate reports that demonstrate the connection between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. In some cases, he replaces the language in order to highlight the benefits of global warming. That's right - a top official of the executive branch's Council on Environmental Quality wants to make sure Americans are aware of the plus side of rapid climate change.
The actions by Cooney and staff prompted several scientists working for government agencies to resign. Cooney resigned last month, shortly after these reports came to light and, fittingly, was hired by Exxon Mobil, which spends about $9 million per year on public relations challenging the existence of global warming.
Then there is the story of Sam Bodman, who took the post of Secretary of Energy shortly after President Bush's inauguration this winter. Bodman served as director of the Cabot Corp., whose factories in Texas produce industrial carbon black, a byproduct of the oil refinery process, and is one of the worst polluters in Texas.
The company came under scrutiny when a three-year United Nations investigation looked into the role of companies fueling the brutal civil war in the Congo by illegally purchasing minerals and natural resources from rebel groups. The warring parties involved have killed hundreds of thousands of people as part of conflict that has killed more than 2 million in central Africa, while Bodman and Cabot took advantage of the situation.
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What resource was the Cabot Corp. buying from the Congolese fighters? A mineral used in the batteries of cell phones. Now that we are in the age of the Internet, our ability to communicate has supposedly been taken to new and better heights. One hopes the speed at which communication takes place will not be the only improvement. Isn't it also important that we improve our discussions and their content in relationship to what is happening in this world?
The earth's situation demands that we get a little more serious.
