causes and consequences of environmental degradation martin donohoe
TRANSCRIPT
Causes and Causes and Consequences of Consequences of
Environmental Environmental DegradationDegradation
Martin DonohoeMartin Donohoe
Am I Stoned?Am I Stoned?
A 1999 Utah anti-drug pamphlet A 1999 Utah anti-drug pamphlet warns:warns:
““Danger signs that your Danger signs that your child may be smoking marijuana child may be smoking marijuana include excessive preoccupation include excessive preoccupation with social causes, race with social causes, race relations, and environmental relations, and environmental issues”issues”
Our HomeOur Home
OverpopulationOverpopulation
World population - World population - exponential growthexponential growth1 billion in 18001 billion in 18002.5 billion in 19502.5 billion in 19506 billion in 20006 billion in 20007 billion in 20117 billion in 2011
OverpopulationOverpopulation
Africa, Asia, and Latin America primarily Africa, Asia, and Latin America primarily affectedaffected
Causes:Causes: PovertyPoverty Women’s rights issuesWomen’s rights issues
impaired access to reproductive impaired access to reproductive health care and educationhealth care and education
political/legal/economic/social political/legal/economic/social marginalizationmarginalization
Air PollutionAir Pollution
Health Effects of Air Health Effects of Air PollutionPollution
Causes approximately 60,000 - Causes approximately 60,000 - 75,000 premature deaths/yr. 75,000 premature deaths/yr. in U.S.in U.S.
656,000 in China656,000 in China
Over 2 million worldwideOver 2 million worldwide
Health Effects of Air Health Effects of Air PollutionPollution
MIMI CHFCHF Ventricular arrythmiasVentricular arrythmias Asthma/COPDAsthma/COPD PVDPVD Cerebrovascular diseaseCerebrovascular disease Multiple other illnessesMultiple other illnesses
Air PollutionAir Pollution
Indoor combustion of coal and Indoor combustion of coal and biomass for cooking, heating and biomass for cooking, heating and food preservationfood preservation 3 billion people worldwide3 billion people worldwide 2 million deaths/yr2 million deaths/yr
Tobacco smokeTobacco smoke 5.4 million deaths/yr worldwide 5.4 million deaths/yr worldwide
(1/10 deaths)(1/10 deaths)
Air Pollution: The Good Air Pollution: The Good NewsNews
Reductions in air pollution Reductions in air pollution under Clean Air Act Account under Clean Air Act Account for up to 15% of overall for up to 15% of overall increase in life expectancy in increase in life expectancy in major U.S. metropolitan major U.S. metropolitan areasareasSaved 160,000 lives in 2010Saved 160,000 lives in 2010
Effects of Ozone Effects of Ozone DestructionDestruction
Ozone hole over Antarctic (2Ozone hole over Antarctic (2½X ½X size of Europe)size of Europe)ShrinkingShrinking
Increased cataracts (UV damage)Increased cataracts (UV damage) Increased lifetime melanoma riskIncreased lifetime melanoma risk
1/1500 - 19301/1500 - 19301/68 - today1/68 - today
US Energy Consumption US Energy Consumption by Fuelby Fuel
Oil – 37% - peak oil production Oil – 37% - peak oil production expected 2014expected 2014
Natural gas – 24%Natural gas – 24% Coal – 22% - peak coal production Coal – 22% - peak coal production
19201920 Nuclear – 8.5%Nuclear – 8.5% Renewables (mostly hydroelectric and Renewables (mostly hydroelectric and
biomass; small amounts of biomass; small amounts of geothermal, wind, and solar) – 7.3%geothermal, wind, and solar) – 7.3%
Oil and WarOil and War
Countries that export oil are Countries that export oil are >>40 times more likely to be 40 times more likely to be engaged in civil war than engaged in civil war than those that do notthose that do not
Gulf Wars I and IIGulf Wars I and II The Future – Water WarsThe Future – Water Wars
Toxins/PesticidesToxins/Pesticides
6 trillion tons of over 85,000 6 trillion tons of over 85,000 chemicals produced annuallychemicals produced annuallyMore than 90% have never been More than 90% have never been
screened for toxicityscreened for toxicity 5 billion lbs/yr pesticides 5 billion lbs/yr pesticides
worldwideworldwide1.1 billion lbs/yr in U.S.1.1 billion lbs/yr in U.S.About 3 lbs/person/yr in U.S.About 3 lbs/person/yr in U.S.
PesticidesPesticides
EPA: U.S. farm workers suffer up to EPA: U.S. farm workers suffer up to 300,000 pesticide-related acute 300,000 pesticide-related acute illnesses and injuries per yearillnesses and injuries per year 25 million cases/yr worldwide25 million cases/yr worldwide
NAS: Pesticides in food could cause NAS: Pesticides in food could cause up to 1 million cancers in the up to 1 million cancers in the current generation of Americanscurrent generation of Americans
WHO: 1,000,000 people killed by WHO: 1,000,000 people killed by pesticides over the last 6 yearspesticides over the last 6 years
Health Effects of Health Effects of PesticidesPesticides
AutismAutism Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s Disease Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease DiabetesDiabetes Obesity (with prenatal exposure)Obesity (with prenatal exposure) DepressionDepression ADHDADHD Endocrine/reproductive effectsEndocrine/reproductive effects
Toxic PollutantsToxic Pollutants
85,000 known or suspected 85,000 known or suspected hazardous waste sites in the U.S.hazardous waste sites in the U.S.
Environmental RacismEnvironmental Racism Waste dumps/incinerators Waste dumps/incinerators
more common in lower SES more common in lower SES neighborhoodsneighborhoods““Cancer Belt” (Baton Rogue Cancer Belt” (Baton Rogue to New Orleans)to New Orleans)
Infamous Industrial Infamous Industrial DisastersDisasters
Minimata, JapanMinimata, Japan
Love CanalLove Canal
Bhopal, IndiaBhopal, India
Chernobyl, USSRChernobyl, USSR
Infamous Industrial Infamous Industrial DisastersDisasters
Alaska, Exxon Valdez, 1989Alaska, Exxon Valdez, 1989
2006 BP Alaskan pipeline rupture2006 BP Alaskan pipeline rupture
2010 BP Gulf disaster2010 BP Gulf disaster
2011 – Yellowstone pipe rupture2011 – Yellowstone pipe rupture
Minimata DiseaseMinimata DiseaseW Eugene SmithW Eugene Smith
DeforestationDeforestation
Tropical forests constitute 7% of Tropical forests constitute 7% of land surface area, contain > 50% of land surface area, contain > 50% of plant and animal speciesplant and animal species
Majority of tropical forests destroyedMajority of tropical forests destroyed One acre of world’s forest cut down One acre of world’s forest cut down
every secondevery second 50% of global wetlands destroyed 50% of global wetlands destroyed
(54% in U.S.)(54% in U.S.)
DeforestationDeforestation
HistoricalHistorical-Easter Island (Polynesians), Middle -Easter Island (Polynesians), Middle East, U.S. Southwest (Anasazi Indians)East, U.S. Southwest (Anasazi Indians)
ContemporaryContemporary-Mauritania, Ethiopia, Haiti deforested-Mauritania, Ethiopia, Haiti deforested-Philippines and Thailand are now net -Philippines and Thailand are now net importers of forest products, looking importers of forest products, looking at Latin Americaat Latin America
Deforestation: CausesDeforestation: Causes
New agricultural settlements New agricultural settlements (overpopulation, poverty, (overpopulation, poverty, unsustainable farming practices)unsustainable farming practices)
LoggingLogging Oil and gas explorationOil and gas exploration Cattle ranchingCattle ranching Drug cultivationDrug cultivation
Global WarmingGlobal Warming
Consequences of Global Consequences of Global WarmingWarming
160,000 deaths and 5.5 million 160,000 deaths and 5.5 million disability-adjusted life years lost disability-adjusted life years lost per yearper yearWHO, UN Environment WHO, UN Environment
ProgramProgramExpected to double by 2020Expected to double by 2020
Consequences of Global Consequences of Global WarmingWarming
Polar icecaps/glaciers/Greenland Polar icecaps/glaciers/Greenland ice sheet/Himalayas/permafrost ice sheet/Himalayas/permafrost melting, sea levels risingmelting, sea levels rising
↑ ↑ weather extremes/natural weather extremes/natural disasters/insurance claimsdisasters/insurance claims
↑ ↑ infectious diseasesinfectious diseases
Greenland’s Ice Cap Greenland’s Ice Cap Melting: 1992Melting: 1992
Greenland’s Ice Cap Greenland’s Ice Cap Melting: 2002Melting: 2002
Greenland’s Ice Cap Greenland’s Ice Cap Melting: 2005Melting: 2005
Global WarmingGlobal Warming
The top 1/5 of the world’s largest 145 The top 1/5 of the world’s largest 145 countries account for 63% of global C0countries account for 63% of global C022 emissions (lowest 1/5 = 2%)emissions (lowest 1/5 = 2%)
Countries most affected are those least Countries most affected are those least responsibleresponsible
Climate refugeesClimate refugees Disappearing locales: Tuvalu, Disappearing locales: Tuvalu,
Vanuatu, Kivalina (Alaska), Male Vanuatu, Kivalina (Alaska), Male (Maldives)(Maldives)
AgricultureAgriculture
Global per capita cropland down over Global per capita cropland down over 50% from 1961 to present50% from 1961 to present
Soil erosion exceeds soil formationSoil erosion exceeds soil formation
Decreasing crop diversity/genetic Decreasing crop diversity/genetic
diversitydiversity
Consequences: vulnerability to Consequences: vulnerability to
disease, huge crop losses (e.g., Irish disease, huge crop losses (e.g., Irish
potato famine)potato famine)
Factory FarmingFactory Farming
Factory FarmingFactory Farming
Factory farms have replaced Factory farms have replaced industrial factories as the # 1 industrial factories as the # 1 polluters of American waterwayspolluters of American waterways
Agriculture accounts for 70% of Agriculture accounts for 70% of U.S. antibiotic useU.S. antibiotic use
CDC: “Antibiotic use in food CDC: “Antibiotic use in food animals is the dominant source of animals is the dominant source of antibiotic resistance among food-antibiotic resistance among food-borne pathogens.”borne pathogens.”
OverfishingOverfishing
Fisheries collapsingFisheries collapsing
Coral reef destructionCoral reef destruction
AquacultureAquaculture
Species LossSpecies Loss
Rate of extinction = 4,000-6,000 Rate of extinction = 4,000-6,000 species/yearspecies/year
1,000 - 10,000X background rate 1,000 - 10,000X background rate of extinctionof extinction
Causes of Species LossCauses of Species Loss
Habitat loss (overpopulation, Habitat loss (overpopulation, logging, etc.)logging, etc.)
Environmental pollutionEnvironmental pollution Global warmingGlobal warming Exotic species invasionsExotic species invasions OverhuntingOverhunting Black market in endangered animalsBlack market in endangered animals HUMANSHUMANS
Maldistribution of Maldistribution of WealthWealth
500 billionaires worldwide500 billionaires worldwide
top 250 billionaires worth top 250 billionaires worth
$1 trillion, the combined $1 trillion, the combined
income of bottom 2.5 billion income of bottom 2.5 billion
people (45% of world’s people (45% of world’s
population)population)
Maldistribution of Maldistribution of WealthWealth
U.S: Richest 1% of the population U.S: Richest 1% of the population owns 50% of the country’s wealth owns 50% of the country’s wealth -poorest 90% own 30%-poorest 90% own 30%-widest gap of any industrialized -widest gap of any industrialized nationnation Associated with 880,000 deaths Associated with 880,000 deaths
per year over expected number if per year over expected number if gap was same as in Western gap was same as in Western European nationsEuropean nations
Maldistribution of wealthMaldistribution of wealth
Less than 4% of the combined wealth Less than 4% of the combined wealth
of the 225 richest individuals in the of the 225 richest individuals in the
world would pay for ongoing access world would pay for ongoing access
to basic education, health care to basic education, health care
(including reproductive health care), (including reproductive health care),
adequate food, safe water, and adequate food, safe water, and
adequate sanitation for all humans adequate sanitation for all humans
(UNDP)(UNDP)
Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence
““All men are created All men are created equal.”equal.”
George OrwellGeorge Orwell
““Some people are Some people are more equal than more equal than
others”others”
Hudson River, 2009Hudson River, 2009
VoltaireVoltaire
““The comfort of the rich The comfort of the rich rests upon an abundance rests upon an abundance of the poor”of the poor”
Maldistribution of Maldistribution of Wealth/Resources Threatens Wealth/Resources Threatens
National Security and Requires a National Security and Requires a Permanent War EconomyPermanent War Economy
““The U.S. has about 50% of the world’s The U.S. has about 50% of the world’s wealth, but only 6.3% of its population. wealth, but only 6.3% of its population. This situation cannot fail to be the object of This situation cannot fail to be the object of envy and resentment. Our real task in the envy and resentment. Our real task in the coming period is to devise a pattern of coming period is to devise a pattern of relationships which will permit us to relationships which will permit us to maintain this position of disparity withoug maintain this position of disparity withoug positive detriment to our national positive detriment to our national security.”security.” George Kennan, U.S. State Dept. Policy George Kennan, U.S. State Dept. Policy
Planning Study, 1948Planning Study, 1948
Racial DisparitiesRacial Disparities
EconomicEconomic
EducationalEducational
Criminal justice system Criminal justice system involvementinvolvement
DiscriminationDiscrimination
Racial Disparities: Racial Disparities: Health CareHealth Care
Higher maternal and infant Higher maternal and infant mortalitymortality
Higher death rates for most Higher death rates for most diseasesdiseases
Shorter life expectanciesShorter life expectancies Less health insuranceLess health insurance Fewer diagnostic tests / Fewer diagnostic tests /
therapeutic procedurestherapeutic procedures
Racial Disparities: Racial Disparities: Health CareHealth Care
Equalizing the mortality rates of Equalizing the mortality rates of whites and African-Americans whites and African-Americans would have averted 686,202 would have averted 686,202 deaths between 1991 and 2000deaths between 1991 and 2000 Whereas medical advances averted Whereas medical advances averted
176,633 deaths176,633 deaths AJPH 2004;94:2078-2081AJPH 2004;94:2078-2081
Overconsumption Overconsumption (Affluenza)(Affluenza)
U.S. = 6.3% of world’s populationU.S. = 6.3% of world’s population Own 50% of the world’s wealthOwn 50% of the world’s wealth
U.S. responsible for:U.S. responsible for:
-25% of world’s energy consumption-25% of world’s energy consumption
-33% of paper use-33% of paper use
-72% of hazardous waste production -72% of hazardous waste production
(1 ton/person/year) (1 ton/person/year)
But are we happier?But are we happier?
Workloads increasing, Workloads increasing, vacation and free time vacation and free time decreasingdecreasing
U.S.: Only OECD country not U.S.: Only OECD country not to guarantee paid vacation and to guarantee paid vacation and sick leavesick leave
Erosion of social capitalErosion of social capital
Economic StagnationEconomic Stagnation
Inflation-adjusted income of the Inflation-adjusted income of the median U.S. householdmedian U.S. household 1989 - $54,6001989 - $54,600 1997 - $49,0001997 - $49,000 2004 - $44,3892004 - $44,389 2009 - $49,7772009 - $49,777 2011 - $51,8602011 - $51,860
Financial Crisis / RecessionFinancial Crisis / Recession
Exorbitant CEO PayExorbitant CEO Pay
CEO salaries up 500% since 1980CEO salaries up 500% since 1980 The average CEO makes 300-400X The average CEO makes 300-400X
the salary of the average U.S. the salary of the average U.S. worker (1960 - 41X; 1980 - 42X)worker (1960 - 41X; 1980 - 42X) Mexico 45:1Mexico 45:1 Britain 25:1Britain 25:1 Germany 11:1Germany 11:1 Japan 10:1Japan 10:1
The “Global Economy”The “Global Economy”
53 of the world’s 100 largest 53 of the world’s 100 largest economies are private economies are private corporations; 47 are countriescorporations; 47 are countriesWal-Mart is larger than Wal-Mart is larger than
Israel and GreeceIsrael and GreeceAT&T is larger than AT&T is larger than
Malaysia and IrelandMalaysia and Ireland
CorporationsCorporations
Almost 6 million corporationsAlmost 6 million corporations
500 companies control 70% 500 companies control 70% of world tradeof world trade
CorporationsCorporations
Internalize profitsInternalize profits
Externalize health and environmental costsExternalize health and environmental costs
Confidential legal settlements keep Confidential legal settlements keep important public health and safety important public health and safety information secretinformation secret May delay governmental intervention, May delay governmental intervention,
cause unnecessary morbidity and mortalitycause unnecessary morbidity and mortality
Corporate TaxationCorporate Taxation
Corporations shouldered over Corporations shouldered over 30% of the nation’s tax burden 30% of the nation’s tax burden in 1950 vs. 6.5% today (“real in 1950 vs. 6.5% today (“real rate” = 2.8% per U.S. Treasury rate” = 2.8% per U.S. Treasury Department)Department)
Corporate taxes are at their Corporate taxes are at their lowest level since WW IIlowest level since WW II
Reasons for Inadequate Reasons for Inadequate Corporate TaxationCorporate Taxation
Tax breaks, corporate welfare, Tax breaks, corporate welfare, corporation-friendly tax laws, corporation-friendly tax laws, loopholes, transferring assets loopholes, transferring assets overseasoverseas
Cheating and under-payment Cheating and under-payment commoncommon
Offshore tax havens shelter Offshore tax havens shelter capitalcapital
Ugland House, Cayman IslandsUgland House, Cayman Islands18,000 Corporations 18,000 Corporations
Registered HereRegistered Here
The Stock MarketThe Stock Market
20% of Americans own stock20% of Americans own stock
90% of stocks, bonds, and 90% of stocks, bonds, and
mutual fund assets owned by mutual fund assets owned by
10%10% 51% of all stocks, bonds, and 51% of all stocks, bonds, and
mutual fund assets owned by 1%mutual fund assets owned by 1%
Consequences of Consequences of Differential Stock Differential Stock
OwnershipOwnership Corporations are answerable to Corporations are answerable to
their shareholderstheir shareholders Governments are answerable (at Governments are answerable (at
least in theory) to their citizens least in theory) to their citizens (either through elections or (either through elections or revolutions)revolutions)
Economic InjusticesEconomic Injustices
The Third World Debt CrisisThe Third World Debt Crisis Africa/Latin America/Asia - $300 billionAfrica/Latin America/Asia - $300 billion
Unfair economic organizations and trade Unfair economic organizations and trade agreementsagreements WTO, IMF, GATT, NAFTA, othersWTO, IMF, GATT, NAFTA, others
Child laborChild labor ↓ ↓ UnionizationUnionization Unsafe working conditionsUnsafe working conditions
Foreign AidForeign Aid
In total dollars: U.S. #1In total dollars: U.S. #1
As a % of GDP, U.S. #21As a % of GDP, U.S. #21
U.S. Aid: Over 1/3 military, 1/4 U.S. Aid: Over 1/3 military, 1/4 economic, 1/3 for food and economic, 1/3 for food and developmentdevelopment
Foreign AidForeign Aid
0.9% of the total federal budget0.9% of the total federal budget
On average, Americans think On average, Americans think that 24% of the federal budget that 24% of the federal budget goes toward foreign aidgoes toward foreign aid
U.S. Charitable GivingU.S. Charitable Giving
Approximately $250 billion/yearApproximately $250 billion/year
2.5% of income2.5% of income
2.9% at height of Great 2.9% at height of Great DepressionDepression
2009 Federal Budget2009 Federal Budget$2.65 trillion$2.65 trillion
World Military Spending World Military Spending (2008)(2008)
The Military and The Military and PollutionPollution
World’s single largest polluterWorld’s single largest polluter 6-10% of global air pollution6-10% of global air pollution 2-11% of world raw material use2-11% of world raw material use 97% of all high level and 78% of all 97% of all high level and 78% of all
low level nuclear wastelow level nuclear waste Military exempt from most Military exempt from most
environmental regulationsenvironmental regulations
The Military: Diversion of The Military: Diversion of Resources Away from Resources Away from
Health CareHealth Care 3 hours world arms spending = 3 hours world arms spending =
annual WHO budgetannual WHO budget 1/2 day of world arms spending = 1/2 day of world arms spending =
full childhood immunizations for all full childhood immunizations for all world’s childrenworld’s children
3 days of U.S. military spending = 3 days of U.S. military spending = amt. spent on health, education, and amt. spent on health, education, and welfare for U.S. children in 1 yearwelfare for U.S. children in 1 year
The Military: Diversion of The Military: Diversion of Resources Away from Health Resources Away from Health
Care and Other Scientific Care and Other Scientific ProjectsProjects
3 weeks of world arms 3 weeks of world arms spending/yr. = primary health spending/yr. = primary health care for all in poor countries, incl. care for all in poor countries, incl. safe water and full immunizationssafe water and full immunizations
25% of the world’s 2.5 million 25% of the world’s 2.5 million research scientists and engineers research scientists and engineers work entirely on military R and Dwork entirely on military R and D
““Every gun that is made, every warship Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed.”cold and not clothed.”
~ Dwight D. ~ Dwight D. EisenhowerEisenhower
Poverty and HungerPoverty and Hunger
US: 14% of residents and 20% of US: 14% of residents and 20% of children live in povertychildren live in povertyRates of poverty in Blacks and Rates of poverty in Blacks and Hispanics = almost 3X WhitesHispanics = almost 3X Whites
17% (52 million people) lack health 17% (52 million people) lack health insurance (2011)insurance (2011)
Poverty associated with worse Poverty associated with worse physical and mental healthphysical and mental health
PovertyPoverty
1.1 billion people lack access to safe, 1.1 billion people lack access to safe, clean drinking waterclean drinking water-1.8 million child deaths/year-1.8 million child deaths/year
2 billion have no electricity2 billion have no electricity 2.6 billion do not have adequate 2.6 billion do not have adequate
sanitation servicessanitation services Lack of clean water and sanitation Lack of clean water and sanitation
cause 4 billion cases of diarrhea and cause 4 billion cases of diarrhea and 1.6 million deaths per year1.6 million deaths per year
FamineFamine
FamineFamine
1.5 billion malnourished1.5 billion malnourished Hunger kills 18,000 people per Hunger kills 18,000 people per
day, most under age 5day, most under age 5 Hunger-related causes kill as Hunger-related causes kill as
many people in 8 days as the many people in 8 days as the atomic bomb killed at Hiroshimaatomic bomb killed at Hiroshima
Poverty and PrioritiesPoverty and Priorities
Amount of money needed each year Amount of money needed each year (in addition to current expenditures) (in addition to current expenditures) to provide water and sanitation for to provide water and sanitation for all people in developing nations = $9 all people in developing nations = $9 billionbillion
Amount of money spent annually on Amount of money spent annually on cosmetics in the U.S. = $8 billioncosmetics in the U.S. = $8 billion
Poverty and PrioritiesPoverty and Priorities
Amount of money needed each year ( Amount of money needed each year ( in addition to current expenditures) in addition to current expenditures) to provide reproductive health care to provide reproductive health care for all women in developing for all women in developing countries = $12 billioncountries = $12 billion
Amount of money spent annually on Amount of money spent annually on perfumes in Europe and the U.S. = perfumes in Europe and the U.S. = $12 billion$12 billion
Medical CareMedical Care
50% of global health care 50% of global health care budget spent in the U.S.budget spent in the U.S.
Per capita expenditure on health Per capita expenditure on health care:care:U.S. = $8,160U.S. = $8,160Typical poor African/Asian Typical poor African/Asian
country = $5-10country = $5-10
Medical CareMedical Care
U.S. - 52 million uninsuredU.S. - 52 million uninsured Ranks 24Ranks 24thth worldwide in overall worldwide in overall
population health (as judged by population health (as judged by disability-adjusted life disability-adjusted life expectancy)expectancy)
Ranks 42Ranks 42ndnd in global life in global life expectancyexpectancy
Headline from Headline from The OnionThe Onion
Uninsured Man Hopes His Uninsured Man Hopes His Symptoms Diagnosed This Symptoms Diagnosed This
Week On Week On HouseHouse
Would You Sign a Would You Sign a Petition to Ban Petition to Ban
Dihydrogen Monoxide?Dihydrogen Monoxide?
1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. It is a major component in acid rain2. It is a major component in acid rain
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. It can kill you if accidentally inhaled4. It can kill you if accidentally inhaled
5. It contributes to erosion5. It contributes to erosion
6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer 7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer
patients patients
Geographic IgnoranceGeographic Ignorance
Percent of US teens unable to Percent of US teens unable to locate the following on a map:locate the following on a map:United States – 11%United States – 11%Pacific Ocean – 29%Pacific Ocean – 29%United Kingdom – 68%United Kingdom – 68%
Ignorance/Ignorance/Pseudoscientific BeliefsPseudoscientific Beliefs
Half of US citizens do not believe Half of US citizens do not believe in evolution and do believe that in evolution and do believe that humans and dinosaurs coexisted humans and dinosaurs coexisted (2007)(2007)
22% of Americans don’t know 22% of Americans don’t know whether an atomic bomb has whether an atomic bomb has ever been dropped (2000)ever been dropped (2000)
25% believe in UFOs (2007)25% believe in UFOs (2007)
The Obfuscation of The Obfuscation of ScienceScience
AdvertisingAdvertising US spends $290 billion/yr on US spends $290 billion/yr on
advertising (almost advertising (almost $1,000/person/yr in the U.S. $1,000/person/yr in the U.S.
LobbyingLobbying Campaign Contributions (Campaign Contributions (Citizens Citizens
UnitedUnited)) GreenwashGreenwash AstroturfingAstroturfing
The Obfuscation of The Obfuscation of ScienceScience
Corporate Front GroupsCorporate Front Groups Sponsored Environmental Sponsored Environmental
Educational MaterialsEducational Materials Media consolidation, corporate Media consolidation, corporate
controlcontrol5 corporations control majority 5 corporations control majority
of US media, down from 50 in of US media, down from 50 in 19831983
Global Warming: Global Warming: Controversial?Controversial?
Of 928 articles in peer-reviewed Of 928 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 0% were in doubt as scientific journals, 0% were in doubt as to the existence or cause of global to the existence or cause of global warmingwarming
Of 636 articles in the popular press (NY Of 636 articles in the popular press (NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Times, Washington Post, LA Times, WSJ), 53% expressed doubt as to the WSJ), 53% expressed doubt as to the existence (and primary cause) of global existence (and primary cause) of global warmingwarming
Science 2004;306:1686-7Science 2004;306:1686-7
(Study covers 1993-2003)(Study covers 1993-2003)
LobbyingLobbying
Over 15,000 full-time lobbyistsOver 15,000 full-time lobbyists
Estimates of return on lobbying Estimates of return on lobbying range from $28 to $100 for range from $28 to $100 for every $1 spentevery $1 spent
LobbyingLobbying
Lobbying groups spent 3.5 billion in Lobbying groups spent 3.5 billion in 2010 2010 (federal lobbying, a record)(federal lobbying, a record)
All single issue ideological groups All single issue ideological groups combined (e.g., pro-choice, anti-abortion, combined (e.g., pro-choice, anti-abortion, feminist and consumer organizations, feminist and consumer organizations, senior citizens, etc.) = $76 millionsenior citizens, etc.) = $76 million
SCOTUS’ SCOTUS’ Citizens UnitedCitizens United decision has decision has opened the floodgates for unlimited opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate contributionscorporate contributions
The Decline of The Decline of DemocracyDemocracy
True democracy demands an True democracy demands an informed citizenry (education), informed citizenry (education), freedom of the press (media), freedom of the press (media), and involvement (will, time, and involvement (will, time, money)money)
Democracy is critical to the Democracy is critical to the success of public healthsuccess of public health
Corporations and Corporations and International AgreementsInternational Agreements
Corporations attempt to influence Corporations attempt to influence writing and acceptance/rejection of writing and acceptance/rejection of international agreementsinternational agreements Through misinformation, Through misinformation,
lobbyists, revolving door between lobbyists, revolving door between industry and governmentindustry and government
Large behind the scenes roleLarge behind the scenes role
International Non-International Non-Cooperation/IsolationismCooperation/Isolationism
Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: Kyoto Protocol on Climate ChangeKyoto Protocol on Climate Change International Covenant on International Covenant on
Economic, Social, and Cultural Economic, Social, and Cultural RightsRights
Convention on the Prohibition of Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Land MinesAnti-Personnel Land Mines
International Non-International Non-Cooperation/IsolationismCooperation/Isolationism
Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: Treaty to ban cluster bombs Treaty to ban cluster bombs
Convention on the Rights of the Convention on the Rights of the ChildChild
Convention on the Elimination of Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against WomenDiscrimination Against Women
International Non-International Non-Cooperation/IsolationismCooperation/Isolationism
Failure to sign or approve:Failure to sign or approve: WHO Code of Conduct for WHO Code of Conduct for
Marketing Breast Milk SubstitutesMarketing Breast Milk Substitutes Convention for the Suppression of Convention for the Suppression of
Traffic in PersonsTraffic in Persons The Stockholm Convention on The Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic PollutantsPersistent Organic Pollutants
Primo LeviPrimo Levi
““A country is considered the A country is considered the more civilized the more the more civilized the more the wisdom and efficiency of its wisdom and efficiency of its laws hinder a weak man from laws hinder a weak man from becoming too weak or a becoming too weak or a powerful one too powerful.”powerful one too powerful.”
Solutions Solutions Stronger environmental lawsStronger environmental laws Restructure tax systemRestructure tax system Renewable energyRenewable energy More equitable distribution of More equitable distribution of
medical research funds and health medical research funds and health care dollarscare dollars
Single payer health care Single payer health care (PHM/PHC)(PHM/PHC)
SolutionsSolutions
Improve status of women / access Improve status of women / access to reproductive health careto reproductive health care
Living wage lawsLiving wage laws E.g., NY, LA, Chicago, and E.g., NY, LA, Chicago, and
PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia Create maximum wageCreate maximum wage Reform educationReform education
SolutionsSolutions
Publicly financed campaigns and Publicly financed campaigns and campaign finance reformcampaign finance reform
Proportional representationProportional representation Instant runoff voting/cumulative Instant runoff voting/cumulative
voting/range (rating) votingvoting/range (rating) voting
Solutions: VoteSolutions: Vote
US voter turnout low (139/172 US voter turnout low (139/172 worldwide)worldwide) Wealthy vote at almost twice rate of Wealthy vote at almost twice rate of
poorpoor Whites > Blacks > HispanicsWhites > Blacks > Hispanics Old > YoungOld > Young Property owners > RentersProperty owners > Renters
Activism / Protesting / WhistleblowingActivism / Protesting / Whistleblowing Work in Groups (PSR)Work in Groups (PSR)
GGüünter Grassnter Grass
““The first job of a citizen The first job of a citizen is to keep your mouth is to keep your mouth open.”open.”
Anita RoddickAnita Roddick
"If you think you are too "If you think you are too small to have an impact, small to have an impact, try going to bed with a try going to bed with a mosquito in your tent"mosquito in your tent"
Public Health and Social Justice Public Health and Social Justice WebsiteWebsite
http://www.publichealthandsocialjustice.org
http://www.phsj.org