We see at our hospital huge numbers of people who have preventable pulmonary disease, much of it permanent. We're seeing a huge spike in lung cancers in people who've never smoked, never been exposed to second-hand smoke. I have a very strong feeling that that's because of the air that we breathe and the stuff that's floating in the air. But folks don't know that.
Until we energize and engage the public, regardless of how much we lead, until the public engages in this discussion in some way, I don't think we'll be successful.
We really have to concentrate on letting people know what the cars, automobiles are doing, what the power plants are doing, cement fumes are doing. They're killing people, and they're maiming people, and they're hurting people every day. That's my message in Arlington. We've got this serious problem that's a public health emergency. Just like the pandemic flu.
Captain Hyperbole to the rescue! (The situation is at least a million billion times worse than I imagined.)
Dust is the biggest problem in them there parts.
The mayor of Arlington pontificates about man-made global warming being real and has completely bought into the Al Gore mind state. I have no respect for anything he says.
Posted on Mon, Jun. 26, 2006
Texas mayors to tackle environmental issues
By NEIL STRASSMAN
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
ARLINGTON - Mayors and other officials from Texas cities are slated to meet Friday at the University of Texas at Arlington's new science building to discuss ways municipalities can reduce their role in climate change.
"It's important to try to energize mayors to begin to think and study the issue of global warming, and if they think it appropriate, to take action," said Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, host of the Texas Cities for Climate Protection forum.
"I've been meeting with mayors from across the country on air quality and global warming issues, and this is my attempt to do this in Texas," Cluck said.
But the 12:30 to 5:15 p.m. briefing by experts on climate and health and by other elected officials is behind closed doors.
Environmental advocates say it should be a public forum.
"I'm disappointed it's not an open meeting so the public can hear the same presentations the mayors get to hear," said Bonnie Bowman, incoming president of the Tarrant Coalition for Environmental Awareness.
"It's awesome they are having this meeting, and it's something Arlington needs to be proud of, but at least the presentations should be open to the public, even if the mayors want to meet in private," she said.
Environmentalists weren't the only ones left out. TXU, the giant North Texas-based utility, was invited but the invitation was later rescinded, Cluck said.
The meeting will be closed to enable a frank discussion, the mayor said.
"Initially, we were going to open it up, but I thought it better to let us talk without someone looking over our shoulder," Cluck said.
Most scientists agree that the Earth's surface is warming because of emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that create a greenhouse effect, trapping the sun's heat in the atmosphere. Some scientists debate the extent of the role that human activity and fossil fuels play in climate change.
But the warming, say most scientists, could cause oceans to rise and changes in rainfall, drought and storm patterns. Agriculture and coastal fisheries could suffer as the availability of fresh water declines, and health officials warn of poorer air quality and an increased risk of disease.
"There are many ways that cities can save money while reducing greenhouse emissions that increase global warming and smog," said Tom Smith, executive director of Public Citizen Texas, a forum speaker.
More-efficient vehicles, building windows and water treatment plant motors can save energy, as can solar energy panels and sealing leaks on air-conditioning ducts.
"Buildings can be tuned up just like cars," he said.
Also scheduled to speak is Michelle Wyman, executive director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, part of the nonprofit organization that runs the international Cities for Climate Protection campaign. It has 650 member cities worldwide, according to its Web site.
Catherine Thomasson, incoming president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, a nonprofit educational organization, is scheduled to talk about public health and climate. In addition to Cluck, participants will hear from Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, Austin Mayor Will Wynn and Richard Greene, the federal Environmental Protection Agency regional director and a former Arlington mayor.
Smith said there will be a separate 7 p.m. Dallas presentation on climate change open to the public at the Scottish Rite Hospital auditorium at 222 Wellborn St.
IN THE KNOW
If you go
The Friday afternoon meeting in Arlington is closed, but there will be a separate presentation on climate change open to the public that evening.
7 p.m., Scottish Rite Hospital auditorium, 222 Wellborn St., Dallas