The Environment Can Not Be Saved

It looks like the East Coast is getting a white Christmas. They are pampered by a two-foot snow fall yesterday. That heavy snow reminds me of the ice and snow in my hometown Harbin. This is the time when Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is gearing up for its opening. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf There is no snow in the City, just a little rain. Two weeks ago, when I was on the beach in Marin Headlands, a sheet of rain was moving on the water. I captured the moment: I didn’t make it to the mountains and beach last week. Therefore, even I came home late last night from a Christmas party, I headed to Marin Headlands this morning after breakfast. On the bus, I was chuckling while reading the book I got last night at the party’s gift exchange: "Mike Donner’s How to be a Gay Porn Star." It’s hilarious, and informative! Ha ha. I noticed that the old lady sitting across from me on the bus probably saw the book’s cover when I was reading it. I wonder what she was thinking. The sky was a little hazy today, but I had a nice hike. However, I was surprised to see many familiar trees are cut down by the U.S. National Park Service. Why? For safety reason? I doubt it, because they didn’t just cut certain branches off. They took the entire tree down. It’s so sad to see those empty spots. I do remember some theories that those trees are not native, and they are not good for the other plants, so they have be cut down when they grow bigger I am not sure. Environment is such a complex issue. Didn’t all the world leaders gather in Copenhagen for a climate summit, but achieved pretty much nothing except leaving a huge carbon footprint? Last Friday, I was furious to learn that California Public Utilities Commissioners approved PG&E‘s proposed fee increase on customers who use less electricity. What an absurd policy! I sent each of the commissioners to voice my disgust. This is the kind of policies that discourage conservation. After all, this is the land where people drive in circles to find a parking spot to be close to store entrance; to dry hands with paper towel in the kitchen; to dry clothes with a clothes dryer; to drive cars in circle at very high speed without going anywhere… How can the US lecture China to produce less carbon footprints after the US have been abusing this planet for decades? When every country fights for its own interest, economy growth, citizens, and ideology, there is no chance that the world can come together to have a happy (polygamy) marriage. The best they can do might be a one night stand. The root of the problem is that we human live in a world that is divided by countries, religions, races, classes, and political systems. As long these differences exist, the world will have no peace, the environment will be ruined, and the planet is doomed. I know, it’s not a pretty picture. Sadly, it’s the reality. It’s the end of the year again. I almost quote John Lennon‘s Imagine every year, so no exception this year: Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace Maybe, just maybe, this planet can be saved. Imagine that!