Cuyahoga River - 40 Years After-Lessons for Global Warming
This afternoon I had a boat ride along the Cuyahoga River here in Cleveland. For many it may sound like one of the thousand rivers that flow in America. Cuyahoga is an unique one in that it is the only river that actually burned, 40 years ago.
Actually, river didn't burn but the pollutants like shipping fuel oil burned. Soon after the incident Cleveland became known for the burning river, fodder for late night comedians and infact led to the decay of Cleveland as an industrial power. This incident led to the formation of EPA. the opposition to the EPA's regulation is detailed in its grotesque form here in the interview with first administrator of EPA under Nixon administration.
Despite the efforts of various administrations to undermine the EPA, Cuyahoga river is now thriving with aquatic life. Attitude towards EPA, Pollution and Control of pollution, is strikingly similar to conservatives approach to Global Warming, they are in denial phase just like they were with pollution. They didn't foresee burning rivers or any other eventuality, I hope they see the disaster they almost caused with pollution and keep away from from Global Warming.
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