The granted waivers of the past for California from the EPA were to make cleaner air. The CO2 waiver is about engine size and fuel efficiency. The Feds will never give up their power on the fuel efficiency issue. It allows them to take campaign contributions to do nothing. Money and power go hand in hand.

In the this story that I am writing and speaking about it becomes clear that the lag time of science to accurately report its findings is part of the problem. But even if they had had this data before the special interests in Washington the corporate world would have scoffed at the science and continued to put future generations at risk. This science is only acceptable because the world has accepted the findings of global warming. That is the other 170 nations not the USA

The time lag of a thousands years makes science affecting the oceans completely unimportant when a lag of only ten years to reduce emissions by 80% seems to me more difficult to achieve because of the economic issues. if we are to avoid the tipping point the positive backs loops must be avoided if possible but the American Enterprise Institute, scoffs at this because of economic reasons. An entire change in the global economic patterns will have to change and not one of the candidates of the guts to come out with it and not Edwards either.

From the issues of Energy, getting at least 80MPG and changing CAFÉ standards is just the beginning of the changes necessary and we need a person with courage and the ability to stand up and show America that he has the courage to fight all big business , who does not pay taxes, and exports all jobs wherever the profit margin is best. Iowa heard Edwards when he said he would fight special interests. Almost every problem we can look at has its roots in the values of the corporate world and how they have distorted all values towards their own ends of making profit. For example, the acidity in the oceans is bad news not only for the life within the ocean but for the fact that it makes the ocean less able to absorb the excess carbon dioxide and therefore exacerbates global warming and climate change.

The UN, like most organizations built around the G8 nations and economics which is the number one issue not only to fight global poverty. The UN Goals are designed to do two things try the save humanity and try to save the world economy at the same time. The Kyoto treaty is problematic in that its policies promote continued pollution aimed at keeping the world economy afloat. It is economics that keeps the USA from joining. If the UN were really interested at saving this planet the UN would do away with pollution trading altogether and institute a crash rapid change to alternative energy and an end to global toxicity. But that is the truth and diplomacy is the method of compromise and lies. Politicians really just let you think they care, they want you to think, as all diplomats do. that they are really interested in change.

I have talked with delegates from the UN member nations and many of them have said to me if they really said what some of us NGO's are saying that would be recalled and never have a job again. Most comments are very nice to hear but like the Congress they also come down beside the point as most politicians do. Like most comments from the present Congress and in the blogs or wherever they avoid reality and don't deal with the issue head on. Most are still looking for the magic technological bullet or some disingenuous politician that will save all and we can continue on the way we are going with ever more growth and ever more and greater GDP as the bankers advise. Any candidate that does not talk about environmental issues first on the agenda, including Kucinich, betrays America and the world. BUT IF ANYONE THINKS THAT BIG BUSINESS WILL CHANGE ITS WAY, FORGET IT! MONEY AND PROFIT AND POWER. . .THAT ALL!

But there really there isn't any quick fix. I am a filmmaker and have worked on the environmental change issues since 1978 so I have a fair amount of experience to speak. While LED light-bulbs is good and 40 MPG for cars is better it is not the at least the 80MPG that is necessary and refits for all existing cars rather than exporting them to the developing world which is presently being done and will pick up speed as restrictions rise in the western world. We continue to export the problem from the USA to other countries as if we don't share this world with other people. And while Jesse Jackson talks of the black people of the world, his particular crusade its the people of the entire world at issue.

It was GE that killed the electric car not long ago who in Congress who complained about that? INSTEAD THE BIG 3 IN DETROIT INTRODUCED THE HUMMMER. Whether health care, environment, energy alternatives, toxicity in the environment or any and all of these it comes down to who has the courage to talk about all of them rather than focusing on the head of a pin the one important issue to avoid dealing with the others. Like health Care for example but lets talk about health care? The advance of environmentally based health problems by a toxic environment and air related pandemics is what we are looking at in the next few years with rising temperatures. The candidates are discussing universal health care? Try that on for the global health care because what's there will very soon be here because all the sicknesses have been on the rise because of the policies of the USA. Here try this fact on, three percent of the world's population the USA, produces seventy three percent of global toxicity. You wonder where cancer comes from?

The people of the USA have been so ill informed as to what true change would really do and mean to this country and the change in leadership. Mr. Present bad president has taken your mind away from the really important problems by creating a false war and rejecting all the great innovation and industry. America could have been in the forefront by building innovation with manufacturing aimed at environmental invention to reduce global warming. New jobs and technology for America by saving the environment rather than making it worse. No one could be worse than George Bush. . . No one not even the dog catcher, at least the dog catcher has compassion for animals!

The real problem is not Kucinich as president, the problem is that he puts his emphasis on the wrong problem at the wrong time. The problem is getting him to address a credible platform of ideas. I say to him while impeachment is necessary, it is unlikely. There is not enough time and the issues most pressing are again avoided, like the environment and those really important issues before the congress now like kids health care! The issue of this election will affect the environment, economy and the future of the USA as no others. Yet if more than 50% of eligible voters cast their votes it will be a miracle because of regressive US election laws. It is compulsory for every one to vote in Australia. None of the candidates are really talking on the major points of the environment in association with the economy or health care and reform laws for elections.

The environmental news coming out is not new but it is very grave and keeps being pushed to more urgency as new research comes to light. If any one reading this comment cares to look at the website of NASA, the research papers of James Hansen in particular that were published long before Gore was on the scene and many since, they would understand that we really can not deal with much more than one degree to two and half degrees Fahrenheit of warming at its maximum to ward off the most serious effects of industrial societies pollution and to offset this growing catastrophe.

At about two and half degrees warming which is presently in the pipeline, WITH THE METHANE FEEDBACKS NO ONE IS MENTIONING YET and we will be dealing with about 550 ppm of carbon in the atmosphere, at the turn of the century perhaps more. Since industry will not cut back without governments legislating it, we will actually go above the tipping point of one and half degrees warming. The courage to slow the economy and turn its direction is what is necessary. To keep the global temperature at no more than 430 ppm, the absolute figure to avoid the major positive feedback loops, it will require economic changes most nations, including CHINA will not make! Therefore, the start of the catastrophe is scheduled to kick in by 2020 or earlier if nothing is done quickly. Positive feedback are starting now with Methane now being released on the tundra at four times the addition to greenhouse gasses and causing the poles and glaciers to melt more rapidly, or has no one noticed?

The below scenario excerpted from the climate articles here on Common Dreams tell us clearly without rapid change runaway climate change and their feedback loops are in reach within 10 to 30 years if nothing is done rapidly. The positive feedback loops will melt the remainder of the glaciers and perhaps dump Greenland into the sea as well. Also, the melting of additional ice-shelf's at the poles. That means perhaps a 3 to 30 foot ocean rise by the end of this century, but the process is beginning now and in 20 years or less without rapid change in economic direction the human race will reach a point of no return. The so called news and other media continue to bend the information toward the global economic agenda thus minimizing its importance. India for example is less concerned about climate change than they are about economic production thanks to the G8, although their neighbor Bangladesh is slipping into the sea . Still in India, there are several moves in the direction of smaller is better concepts of reality. GOOD BUT POSSIBLY TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!

There will be sufficient human displacement of people on this planet to bring American citizens into a nightmare scenario that makes the present Mexican border problem a walk in the park. What about the transfer of health risks as a result of this problem? Not to mention water and food related issues and the economy, always the economy.

Yet is seems the political discussion rests on the complete list of talking points in isolation, such as Clinton's health package and its cost, rather than what is really at stake which is human survival. These folks on the stage wanting to be president rarely talk to the complete interrelated package of all these issues and more. The media reduces the public debate to its most simplistic level and all here are arguing about one issue or another rather than the entire package which a true leader must address. The media keeps the public dumbed down for obvious reasons they represent the money people. As a result we become unable to talk about moving radically to deal with climate change the first and major issue which affects all other issues and is completely related to economic change.

The world does not have (much later) before a more aggressive approach to all the issues beginning with climate change! Remember New Orleans many more of those and nothing is being done there, the USA is trying to make Pakistan a democracy instead? We concentrate on the assasination in Pakistan? Bette, lets talk about the demise of the planet. Within next 10 to 20 years is where it all hangs. If nothing is done very soon it will mark the beginning of the end for the human race. Those appear to be the facts and no technology will stop runaway climate change once it begins, indeed if we look at the melting poles the worst case is much more apparent than formerly believed . . .it has already begun!!

Perhaps it might be too late now, according to James Lovelock, in his view the feedback loops have begun. James Hansen at NASA makes a very compelling case for the time frame for action, 8 to 10 years, the term of the next president of the USA and that is why who it is so important! I think anyone who really wishes to be informed should go to the websites of these people mentioned, the IPCC of James Hansen, NASA. It is technical information but worth taking the time to inform yourself. The answer is to start working quickly for change and vote for those candidates who speak of change and another direction and who represent ideas rather than special interests.

For example the best work would be to defeat the pro-business Clintons and elect Kucinich or Obama or possibly a joint ticket while we know they have an outside chance they are the best possibility for change. But we all know business interests will prevail with Clinton capturing the vote and a pro-business vote is a vote against the environment. No one running on the democratic side could be worse than Bush.

But anyone who can think understands that the business interests control the environmental agenda and most candidates. The republicans will continue the work of burying the planet as will pro-business democratic candidates most of whom have been bought, whether by health interests or anything else concerning big money.

The facts concerning climate science is what is important. What the environmental facts really suggest is economic depression in the West in the near term if we want to save the world. There really is no quick fix do you think Wall Street or all of you out there with your 401ks will take a chance? But if we are really serious about saving the planet (no one wants to hear that if they are connected to big money) it means voting for economic and environmental legislation limiting pollution and green house gasses and taking another direction in terms of the economic picture. . .in any event that is change!

But the environment, water, energy production these are the real issues of this election campaign but no one would dare mention them in association with change in economic direction for fear of defeat. A redirection and a retooling of the global economy and of America is in order and that is not a popular issue on Wall street or people invested in Wall street. . .most everyone in one way or another.

We have to change rapidly and move to a none-stop production of environmental invention and energy alternatives for the western world and developing nations rapidly. It also means rapid technology transfer for the developing world without delay, this may save us some time. A cut of 80% of the carbon emissions within the next 10 years is in order and it must be done beginning now and well on the way before 2012 the next date for Kyoto. Kyoto is a western world fabrication to tell us we can keep polluting while where figuring a way to deal with this crisis economically.

A change of the present direction of economic production and fast move in a different direction economically is required by anyone that can think and put simple figures in context of this crisis. The world is waiting for this move by the Americans and watch the dollar rise rapidly against other currencies once this plan would be announced if ever. This is why this upcoming election is so critical and the results of it will determine whether the human race survives. . . . It is that critical!

The economic change in direction could possibly reemploy a lot of people who have lost their work in the polluting industries. This is the challenge to America to remake itself after eight years of the Bush/Cheney regime. It is equivalent to a fight for survival that required the retooling of America at the outbreak of WW 2. It requires change in the so-called war on terror, a Bush fabrication advanced by the media which is a money centered mind conditioning creation and finally, it means leaving Iraq, and using those resources to fight the real enemy to survival, the western consumer, hydro carbon based, societies of the western world.

Who knows that might mean less of an investment in China and more of an investment the western world for a healthier environment? And the Chinese might follow that example as well. Which candidate will say this to America? Which candidate will really tell the truth? If they did they wouldn't have a chance in this election because Americans don't want to hear that! Any one having the courage to really tell the truth would find themselves on the next train to Siberia; they would be shouted down by the crowds of people on the stump and many on this blog. saying what the hell do you know anyway? "This is too scary for me!"

But the economy is the issues and that is determined by the war in Iraq. this is the great Bush diversion to keep everyone focused on the end of their nose. The illegal Bush-war that Kucinich thginks to impeach Bush/Cheney would also move America into another direction and one not well thought out. He is focused on the lies of Bush rather than the future of the world. Bush will go but so to the planet.

The direction should be the production of alternative energy. This will soak up the idle job market and industrial capacity, indeed it is doing so now! With a shift to the priority of economic production and development directed at saving this world and its equilibrium, in simple terms is a crash economic change which is vitally necessary, without that we are done. If any one thinks that we can continue with an oil economy and business as usual with a consumer based society, they are living in the world of denial which so much of the western world occupies and which eight years of the American presidency was all about. The below is a light message compared with what the truth really is: from UN sources of information!

"The world needs to spend 1.6 percent of global economic output annually through 2030 to stabilize the carbon stock and meet the 3.6-degree Fahrenheit temperature target. Rich countries, the biggest carbon emitters, should lead the way and cut emissions at least 30 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Developing nations should cut emissions 20 percent by 2050, the UNDP says."

The above is letting you down lightly is really not what the actual projections are. The world crisis will crash in on its regional global populations is what the information below is saying. There really is no place in this discussion for a 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit degree rise in temperature. . . .this scenario painted with the these numbers below is a different planet closer to Mars not Earth. The news media play with numbers like the lottery. We can tolerate one degree and perhaps two and half degrees warming at the outside, . . .in the next 50 to 90 years. . .that's it!!!!! An additional 3 degrees to four degrees Fahrenheit is three more degrees greater than this climate and its creatures can sustain or endure without collapse!! This quoted from the recent UN assertions here in Common Dreams and from the real information by scientists not political organization:

"a temperature rise of between 5.4 and 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (3 and 4 degrees Celsius) would displace 340 million people through flooding, droughts would diminish farm output, and retreating glaciers would cut off drinking water from as many as 1.8 billion people, the report says." this is an understatement and conservative.

The above report is economically associated and conservative as well as misleading!!! Forget this idea of 5.4 to 7.2 Fahrenheit of warming that is the Martian landscape because it allows for the runaway positive feedbacks to take hold. Whomever believes this world can sustain this degree of warming is either working for the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank or is gathering this information from the laboratory at XXON/Mobile or its publicists!!??????

Meanwhile the group here is discussing who will give us better health care on a dying planet and impeachment of Bush a good way to avoid dealing with the truth. We can be suspect of anyone who says they have the truth. The need for understanding this current cast of characters wanting to be president is important. None of this group has the faintest idea of what we are really dealing with in terms of global warming numbers concerning the environment, and if they did they would not tell the public. They know it's bad and their advisers are telling them they can't deal with this issue to get elected by the masses.

The masses? Unless you have not heard, these are the people above who are worrying where their next bag of groceries comes from and the money to pay the rent! They really don't give a damn about the environmental issues. . And have no time for thinking about 10 to 20 years from today that has no realty attached to it for most Americans or the rest of the four and half billion people on this Earth in the same situation. . . .

Or, for the rest of the population working for and controlled by big business and big money. . .that is what this election is really about and if one thinks about the complexity of all these interrelated issues we know that we can not beat the odds business will win. That means the future for humanity is limited even for the one percent that has everything. Sure elect Edwards, Obama, or Kucinich or any combination of most of the Democrats that are not funded by big business for this election. This is the reality of this time we still live, on this, still beautiful planet.

As always, it is the Bush nightmare that suspends and forestalls human action forward. if there was a single problem for this world in the past eight years it has been this throwback from the Jurassic period that occupies the Black House steeped in the blood of untold millions in this world both present and future. How much I like the call to optimism, to human adventure and responsible action. I rings like the bell of the angels and like so many who write her I am happy for those who are secure in their optimism, more people at Bali should get your vibes and act responsibly. Having said that I have written here on the problem and tried often to get the powers to be accept we have a really serious problem. I work at the UN and UNESCO in Europe, I know that politics keeps action from happening.

I must say, I loathe the establishment because my concerned friends, it comes down to vested interests, greed and the economy as so many here writing understand. I am afraid that we have lost this little game of truth or consequences. But if the truth really be known, the power elite and the one percent who have everything and own everyone really don't care if some three billion people on this globe perish.

This is the reality of the circumstances of this situation of climate change and its results. The carbon producing industry want to burn every resulting carbon atom they can release, the atomic energy plants will continue mining uranium and its horrendous amounts a carbon produced to provide the fuel and the last tree in the Amazon will be cut as well as every other rain forest.

California certainly has the right to set it's own anti-pollution standards. The EPA should step aside.

Unfortunately for Californians, 37 years of the country's strictest air pollution standards have resulted in at least two things.

1) California's major cities continually leading the nation in air pollution.

2) The nation's highest gas and energy prices.

Rep. Waxman smells a rat because it may be really, really close. He's been in Congress for 32 years and Los Angeles (part of his district) is the perennial leader in air pollution. Barbara Boxer has been in the Senate for 15 years and happens to be friendly with many environmental organizations. This begs the question -- do they really want to see better air quality in California?

I think this goes a lot deeper than higher fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.

"...congressional investigation into the circumstances behind the huge disconnect between the advice of the staff and the decision of the EPA administrator, Stephen L. Johnson."

That's easy - find out how close he is to the White House.

The EPA was chartertered by Richard Nixon as a non political agency to protect and improve our environment. It functioned as was intended (even during the Regan years)until this administration converted it to another tool for the special interests.

Blame for the recent blockage of California's pollution and effeciency standards, as well as other outrages, by this administration falls on: The moran voters who helped this administration steal the elections; The five Supreme Court justices who betrayed principal for politics and planted this unfit person in office; and Our legislators for tolerating these unprecedented abuses.

Is it obvious yet that we need public financing of election campaigns? Fundamental to all election issues is this one question: who's money is behind your candidate's campaign? Tell everyone you know to hold that issue before all others next fall.