Guess It's Just Whose Gas

Guess It’s Just Whose Gas

By Robert Neulieb

Like nearly everyone, I was appalled by the photos and just the thoughts of the Syrian people including children gassed by their government.  But I am also horrified by the generally missing photos of the consequences of people being gassed with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other pollutants.  In 2003 and 2006 gas attacks in Europe and extending into Asia killed a combined total of about 125,000 people due to extreme heat waves.  As most of the victims were children and the elderly, thousands of photos of dead and dying children could have been available.  These heat waves were analyzed and found to be principally caused by human-released CO₂.  The United States released more of this gas than any other country and therefore, was most culpable.

While expressing disgust at military gas attacks is a must, it seems hypocritical and disingenuous when ignoring those attacks, deadly to far more people and possessing far more damaging effects.  The United States permits, even encourages, the release of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.  While the most dramatic example was in Europe in 2003 and 2006, attacks haven’t spared American citizens.  It seems that searching for ways to reward those who help protect the atmosphere would help limit our responsibility.