Global Warming
The Clinton Administration has finally admitted that there is a greenhouse effect, that global warming is a reality and we had darn well better do something about all the CO2 we're dumping into the atmosphere.
They know there needs to be a global phase-out of fossil fuels because they comprise the greatest source of CO2 emissions. Why in the past year has Clinton opened up 5 new oil lease sales in Alaska and the Bureau of Land Management repealed the ban on the export of Alaskan oil? When it comes to action on climate change it seems the '92 campaign slogan, "Its the economy stupid!" is still ringing is his ears.
Six Decades Of Prohibition
Recently his administration announced that "The anticipated economic cost of reducing emissions linked to global warming can be met by the aggressive use of new energy technology by the end of the next decade." Solar energy, wind power, biomass energy crops, vegetable oils and fuels are our new energy technologies. Our farmers are capable of growing energy crops now. The amber waves of grain are our energy fields. With only 6% of the contiguous U.S. producing energy crops we could meet all our domestic energy needs while greatly reducing CO2 emissions. Knowing this, Clinton and every president before him since Franklin Roosevelt has signed an executive order declaring the Hemp supply a matter of national security. So why since 1937 has the Federal government banned all uses of the Cannabis plant? Because it is a government of, for and by timber, petroleum and chemical multi-national corporations. Pay attention to the reactions of our federal representatives concerning emission reductions and hemp re-legalization. As the special interests tug on their nose rings, it will be enlightening to hear which rank piggy squeals the loudest.
The CO2 crisis is the opportunity needed to change from a hydrocarbon/industrial economy back to a sustainable carbohydrate/agricultural economic foundation. The new campaign slogan should be, "It's carbohydrates stupid!"
The Good News
The Lakota Nation hopes to plant industrial hemp on its sovereign lands at the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. Due to the Federal prohibition of Hemp cultivation on U.S. lands and the fact that the U.S. demand for hemp products exceeds world-wide production the market is ripe for Indian people to take advantage of their sovereign status and produce a domestic crop. They can enact their own legislation permitting industrial hemp cultivation on their land. The Lakota Nation wants the same status as other U.S. trade partners. This will enable them to grow hemp under GATT and NAFTA exemptions. Perhaps our local tribes can take advantage of this sustainable crop.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited