-Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918)
It's strange, I think, that the term 'tree hugger' is used as a pejorative by some folks. I have a close family member who I've heard use the phrase in a derogatory way, and I'm bothered by it. What's more, she used it to describe me, who wouldn't be seen in public in a pair of Birkenstocks, really can't be bothered to go hiking, and puts on a suit to go to work most mornings. I'm more likely to grab a donut than a bowl of granola, although I will eat it if there's no Cap'n Crunch, and the last time I rode a bike, I think I was twelve. But because I buy carbon credits, have changed my light bulbs to CFLs, and I insist on 35 mpg when I buy a car, things I consider sound economic and environmental judgment, to her that makes me a tree hugger. Well, so be it then.
There's something about the environmentally aware that bothers the environmentally ambivalent, and I'm not too sure what that is. But I've decided to embrace the label, and am giving her a copy of This Moment On Earth next Christmas just to see her reaction. I'll buy the paperback in case I'm forced to hit her over the head with it.
What tree-hugger detractors don't consider is that trees are a lot more than something that you'll never see anything lovelier than. They're crucial to the health of the planet, and necessary in the fight against climate change. And what's really scary is that deforestation is happening at an alarming rate, and all of us, tree-huggers and non-tree-huggers alike, are going to end up paying the price.
Photo: Jami Dwyer/Wikimedia Commons
Although deforestation contributes approximately 20 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, there is currently no provision in international climate treaties that addresses the problem. In this Earth Day hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Kerry discusses the problem of deforestation, describes what he's seen of it in his travels, and asks witnesses Stuart Eizenstat, Dr. Kevin Gurney, David Hayes and Dirk Forrister for their insight.
Video Credit: CapNewsNet
Senator Kerry was at home in Massachusetts this weekend for the Third Middlesex Area Democrats Honorees Brunch, where Loretta Lillios, Richard Mucci and Donna Greska were honored with the Senator John F. Kerry Leadership Award, and where he spoke on the issue of climate change. The Senator is introduced by Middlesex DA Gerry Leone.
Listen here
Comments (1)
Posted by karennj | April 29, 2008 10:49 AM
The video for the SFRC earth day hearing is amazing. The strong praise Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat (around 4 minutes in) really needs wider distribution. He said:
"The fact that we had a treaty was significantly due to the fact that Senator Kerry was there. He was a virtual part of our negotiating team, without his day and night support and lobbying of the EU. we would not have gotten a treaty."
Seeing this reminds me of the sad day when Senator Kerry spoke of not running and how there were huge things that needed to be done "now". He spoke of all the things he had worked for being in jeopardy. I thought he was speaking of the need to move the Democratic party and the country to a sensible solution for Iraq - which he succeeded in doing and it is possible that had he run, the Clintons likely would not have allowed their wing to fall in line with a Kerry like plan.
What I now see is that no one else would have done what he did and if he were running for office, he likely could not have done all the work he clearly did before the conference and at the conference. It is stunning that a Bush official would say - as he did - that without Kerry, there would have been no treaty. (it was clear from the coverage that even the stories on Gore being there all seemed to suggest there would be no treaty.)
He really did contribute to making things more workable for the President in 2009, who will be handed a huge mess.