US and China go GREEN

Elaine Kurtenbach reports in the Times Magazine that the Shanghai and the US are trying to cooperate and create a greenhouse gas emission limitation agreement. While both sides had their fair share of accusing the other side of emitting more carbon dioxide, these two countries have finally set aside their differences in order to help Earth. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has to say:

We regulate greenhouse gases in the U.S. We monitor and require emissions to be reported in the U.S. We have rules that are phasing in, slowly, regulations for reducing emissions from stationary sources

Now that China has put into progress their 5 year plan starting 2011, a foundation has been laid as an example of progressive movement into reducing greenhouse gases being emitted into air. China, the world's most productive country at the moment is willing to give up their factories that spew out carbon dioxide and change for a better cause, the survival of Earth. Now it is up to other countries to decide, will they progress alongside the US and China, or will they be left behind and in the near future be at the mercy to these progressing countries.

Going Green means going Overboard?

In Thomas Friedman's book, Hot, Flat, & Crowded, he discussed how the nation as a whole must be invigorated with the "Green" idea.

San Francisco resident, Dr. Elizabeth Kantor, and advocator of "Going-Green," had decided to plant the commonly used New Zealand Christmas tree in her front yard. Since, then, she has paid PG&E many fees for them to fix her sewage piping as well as having them cut this treetop, preventing the tree from damaging the power lines to her home.

600 dolars later and some hard work convincing the Department of Urban Forestry as well as San Francisco's Board of Appeals, she finally was able to remove the troublesome tree.

"There are nearly 5,000 Metrosideros excelsus trees still out there. The penalty for removing one without fighting the city for permission is $1,641. Merry Christmas, indeed." -Scott James, The New York Times

 Although we as a nation must support these Green ideals, instances such as these really question advocators the possible risks that might appear when we, as a nation, actually try to pursue these ideals and make them into reality.