Spring Break
Markey urges action
by Matthew Brock
News | 4/15/08
Posted online at 5:39 AM EST on 4/15/08
/ Last updated at 1:29 PM EST on 4/15/08
Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., urged Brandeis' members of the "green generation" to bring about what he called the "green revolution," the movement to save the environment, last Sunday in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall, as part of Earthfest 2008.
Markey is the chair of the Select Committee on Energy Interdependence and Global Warming, created by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. He recently sponsored a bill setting the floor for gasoline efficiency in cars at 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
The main focus of Markey's address was global warming. "The truth is, the planet has a fever, but there are no hospitals for sick planets," he said, "We have to find a way of engaging in preventative planet health care," he said.
University President Jehuda Reinharz introduced Markey and applauded the environmental responsibility emphasized by Earthfest. He made clear that environmental conservation should not be confined to one week and that it's a daily responsibility.
"Every time I see a plastic bottle somewhere, my blood pressure goes up," joked Reinharz in reference to litter on campus, "I'm going to work to eliminate plastic bottles on this campus."
Markey immediately localized the issue, saying today's problem with the environment started in Waltham when Francis Cabot Lowell and James Moody cofounded the Boston Manufacturing Company. The first factory emitted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and since then, the amount of the gas in the air has risen from 280 parts per million to 380 parts per million, he said.
"All other problems in history will be a footnote if we cannot fix the environment," he said.
Markey stressed the role that young people have played in making important changes in the United States. Young people rose up and demanded civil rights, he said; young people protested the Vietnam War, and young people lead the campaign for women's suffrage.
The United States tries to persuade developing countries to curb carbon dioxide emissions, Markey said, but those other countries won't acquiesce unless the United States leads by example. Unfortunately, "Most of the CO2 is red, white and blue," he said, indicating that the majority of carbon emissions come from the United States and Europe.
Markey is the chair of the Select Committee on Energy Interdependence and Global Warming, created by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. He recently sponsored a bill setting the floor for gasoline efficiency in cars at 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
The main focus of Markey's address was global warming. "The truth is, the planet has a fever, but there are no hospitals for sick planets," he said, "We have to find a way of engaging in preventative planet health care," he said.
University President Jehuda Reinharz introduced Markey and applauded the environmental responsibility emphasized by Earthfest. He made clear that environmental conservation should not be confined to one week and that it's a daily responsibility.
"Every time I see a plastic bottle somewhere, my blood pressure goes up," joked Reinharz in reference to litter on campus, "I'm going to work to eliminate plastic bottles on this campus."
Markey immediately localized the issue, saying today's problem with the environment started in Waltham when Francis Cabot Lowell and James Moody cofounded the Boston Manufacturing Company. The first factory emitted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and since then, the amount of the gas in the air has risen from 280 parts per million to 380 parts per million, he said.
"All other problems in history will be a footnote if we cannot fix the environment," he said.
Markey stressed the role that young people have played in making important changes in the United States. Young people rose up and demanded civil rights, he said; young people protested the Vietnam War, and young people lead the campaign for women's suffrage.
The United States tries to persuade developing countries to curb carbon dioxide emissions, Markey said, but those other countries won't acquiesce unless the United States leads by example. Unfortunately, "Most of the CO2 is red, white and blue," he said, indicating that the majority of carbon emissions come from the United States and Europe.
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