I never had the pleasure of being valedictorian of my class however I did pay attention enough to retain a good portion of what I was taught in all those classrooms of yesteryear.
That applies to all of the disciplines I had the pleasure to study, be it English, math, science, lunch or study.
Science and math are often intertwined, in fact, married to one another when you think about it. What is science if not equations and formulas?
We come to learn certain truths along the way such as the laws of physics. Don't ask me to provide you with the tablets that constitute the LOP (said laws of physics) just believe me when I say they are etched in stone.
In that regard, I bring you China's plan to clear the air for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
No, not about human rights or earthquake victims or the millions of people displaced from their homes, their cities actually destroyed to construct and prepare for this Olympiad.
They literally want to clear the air . Try to make it breathable.
China's leaders think that a century's worth of damage to the air and subsequent environment via carbon pollutants (round up the usual suspects: cars, smokestacks, etc.) can be significantly reduced with what amounts to the snap of the fingers.
Did I miss something? Did somebody, somewhere, institute yet another new math? Have the LOP been changed for these Summer Games?
China has started its two-month program that restricts car use and factory emissions in an effort to make the air a little more hospitable to all, especially endurance athletes, who will be sucking in Beijing's air for an hour or two. International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge has said outdoor endurance events lasting more than an hour will be postponed if air quality is poor. The world's greatest distance runner, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, has opted to stay home and not run the marathon event because the city's pollution irritates his breathing.
Yes, it is that much of a concern.
So the plan is this:
Half of the country's 3.3 million cars will be idle...OOPS, let me try again....off the roadways on alternate days. China has constructed two new subway lines and an airport rail link to support the plan and ease congestion. Chemical plants, power plants, foundries, etc. must cut emissions by 30 percent.
While it is a grandiose plan there is no guarantee or even indication that it will make a difference. The so-called experts have said winds could bring pollutants to Beijing from surrounding areas. The same experts say no wind (not out of the question for August in China) means whatever pollutants are in the air, are there to stay.
Quite frankly, I seriously doubt that a two-month plan to reduce emissions is going to significantly heal an environment that has been bombarded by industry's regurgitation for more than a century.
If it is that easy? Then put my order in for making it a permanent plan, not only for China but for every country.
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