Facts about plastic unwrap hype

Some consider the production of plastic to be problematic -- but is it?

September 1, 1995

6:35 a.m. Traffic and weather are once again blaring out of
your plastic clock-radio. You make your way to the kitchen, flip
on your plastic coffee-maker, drop some food in Fido's plastic
bowl, and then stumble into the bathroom where your plastic
toothbrush, shampoo bottle, and disposable razor await you. Now
dressed in a blend of cotton and polyester (i.e. plastic), you see
by the plastic clock on your wall that you only have five minutes
to skedaddle so you hurriedly pour some java into your plastic
travel mug, exit your vinyl-sided house, and slide behind the
plastic dashboard of your family sedan. All that plastic and you
haven't even made it yet out of your driveway...

     Plastic. Just say the word and you're likely to get a big,
uninspired yawn. After all, we normally encounter it in such
exciting things as milk jugs, coat hangers, garden hoses, and food
wraps. Sure, it's also found in everything from high-tech race car
engines to life-saving medical devices, is responsible for more
than three million full-time jobs, and annually throws more than
$270 billion in shipments into the U.S. economy. But the fact
remains that few even bother to give plastic a second look. Few,
that is, except some environmentalists for whom plastic has become
anything but an ho-hum subject.
     Why the keen interest in plastic? For starters, some consider the
production of plastic to be problematic. They also protest the
fact that its disposal does not meet environmentally-
correct standards. Indeed, it could be said that for many
environmentalists, plastic has become a passionate symbol of
everything they don't like about America's consumer-oriented society.
     So we should just get rid of the stuff, right? Well, maybe
not so fast because as it turns out, many of these complaints
about plastic don't even hold as much water as a two-liter bottle of pop.

Pouring the early mold
     The story of plastic dates back to 1870 when a cellulose-based
material known as celluloid was invented. It was used primarily
for film, and even showed itself to be environmentally-friendly by
filling in as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls and tortoise
shells in jewelry. The first synthetic plastic came along in 1909
and was known as "Bakelite."
     Today, there are literally thousands of types of plastic
available -- all with their own special properties and features.
All of them, however, are made up of the same basic building blocks
called hydrocarbons that are derived from petroleum and natural gas
and chemically bonded into chains called polymers.
     Six of the most common types account for 97% of post-consumer
plastic waste, and these include polyethylene terephthelate (PET)
used in soda bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) used in milk
jugs, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) used in grocery bags,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in construction and plumbing,
polystyrene (PS) used in styrofoam cups and egg cartons, and
polypropylene (PP) used in appliances and patio furniture.
     So popular has the use of plastic become in America that its
production has increased an astounding 10% per year over the last
thirty years, and according to the EPA, will make up almost half of
all our garbage by the year 2000. No doubt it is this explosion in
plastic demand that has some environmental leaders shrink-wrapped with
fear.

Wasteful and dangerous?
     The first major complaint lodged against plastic centers on
its production which some believe to be both wasteful and
dangerous. This was summed up by Greenpeace in a recent
publication called "Toxic Trade" which asserted "plastic is made of
non-renewable resources, has many toxic additives" and that its
production is "extremely dangerous to human health and the
environment."
     Such complaints about plastic, however, quickly melt down in
the face of real-world evidence. To begin with, the creation of
plastic uses less natural resources than many other materials.
This was noted in a German study that found 400% more material by
weight would be used if plastic did not exist.
     In addition, plastic also saves energy. Because they weigh
less, shipping mineral water in plastic bottles uses 39% less fuel
than trucking them off in glass containers. Ditto for autos, where
fuel efficiency climbs nearly one mile per gallon for every 100
pounds of weight plastic displaces. And in production, plastic
grocery bags and polystyrene cups require at least 30% less energy
to make than their paper counterparts.
     As for the argument about how the production of plastic harms
human health and the environment, many have focused on
PVC and Styrofoam because of their use of chlorine. Styrofoam
manufacturers, however, voluntarily stopped using CFC's in 1990
because of their alleged effect on the ozone layer -- thus defusing
that complaint. And as for PVC, sound science has roundly refuted
the environmentalists' exaggerated claims.
     A study by the Flemish Institute for Technical Research
concluded PVC "is as friendly, in environmental terms, as reusable
glass bottles." As for human health, the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) found absolutely no correlation between vinyl
manufacturing and cancer, and no health hazard to either vinyl
workers or to people living in plant communities.

More hollow claims
     The other big gripe about plastic has to do with its disposal
which many believe is anything but earth-friendly. In a
nutshell, they claim it is extremely difficult to recycle,
dangerous to burn, and when landfilled, because it has a tendency
to hang around for a while, leaves footsteps that are just too
heavy for Mother Earth to bear. These concerns about disposal,
though, are about as hollow as a freshly-molded vinyl pipe.
     With regard to recycling, it is true recycling rates for
plastics as a whole are smaller than those for such materials as
paper, glass and aluminum. But even so,
plastic's recyclability is grossly underestimated.
     One form of plastic, PET bottles, is easy to collect and
clean, and has thus achieved an impressive recycling rate of over
40%. Vinyl is now being recycled at the hefty level of 6.5 million
pounds per year, and according to the University of Toledo, demand
for the recycled product could reach a whopping 500 million pounds
per year. And when different plastics are collected together,
melted down, and "commingled," the result is a pudding-like
substance that is frequently used for such products as plastic
lumber, and ironically, the bins used for curbside recycling.
     Recycling, however, is obviously not the disposal method of
choice for many plastics since they can often be produced cheaper
from scratch, and just as significantly, have built-in properties
that make them cry out to be burned. In that plastic is derived
from fossil fuels, its heat value is extraordinarily high --
sometimes twice that of coal. And when tossed in a waste-to-energy
(WTE) furnace, it can not only produce needed electricity but also
help other materials to burn more completely. Most importantly,
though, the process poses no danger to human health.
     As noted by a recent blue-ribbon panel of the U.S. Conference
of Mayors, properly-equipped WTE plants are perfectly safe, despite
Green assertions to the contrary. This is because incinerator
scrubbing removes 99% of the hydrogen chloride generated by vinyl
plastic and other chlorine-containing compounds, cleans up
virtually all of the heavy metals like lead and cadmium, and puts
out a level of dioxin exposure 100 times lower than that considered
safe by the EPA and CDC. Indeed, with standard operating
temperatures of between 1500o and 1800oF and state-of-the-art
controls, legitimate concerns about the burning of plastic should
be burnt to a crisp.
     A final beef about plastic is that it does not biodegrade, or
as noted eco-leader Barry Commoner put it, is "with us forever."
But even if this is true (and it's certainly not when plastic is
consumed in a WTE plant), does it really matter?
     The reason plastic is so desirable for such things as
household siding, piping, and auto parts is the very fact that it
does not decompose and require frequent replacing. After all, who
would want their house or car to fall apart every time it rained?
     As for decomposing in landfills, plastic may not break down
quickly, but research is showing that little else does either.
William Rathje, writing in Smithsonian Magazine, noted that
landfills are much more static than previously thought and that
while some organic garbage may begin to biodegrade, for much of the
other garbage, the process "never gets under way at all." And, as
it turns out, this is considered a good thing because when garbage
is mummified, no chemicals can leach out into our groundwater.
     Granted, plastic garbage carelessly strewn on the beach or in
a park is an eyesore, and should be strongly prohibited. But that
is a commentary on the irresponsible people who do it, not on the
product itself, and should not be used as a reason for throwing the
baby out with the bathwater.

Failing to make the case
Up to this point, anti-plastic advocates have failed to make a
convincing argument as to why we should abandon the use of plastic.
Their rhetoric about plastic's ecological impact is
overblown, and their charges about health and safety are simply
without merit. Plastic is safe to produce, safe to dispose, and
for a growing number of everyday applications, practically
irreplaceable. And since there is no "garbage crisis" resulting
from limited landfill space, there's no sound reason to curtail its
use. So it looks like these opponents will either have to
repackage their anti-plastic rhetoric, or else get rid of it
completely.

September, 1995

CFACT

CFACT defends the environment and human welfare through facts, news, and analysis.

Filed under: Toxics

Comments

Be the first to comment!

Javascript is not currently enabled on your browser. If you can enable it, your input will be checked as you enter it (on most browsers, at least). You may find this helpful.

Sizing up link between pollution and cancer

Putting U.S. mercury emissions in perspective

When international treaties kill

Sounding the bell on pesticide restrictions

Writer questions NRC's arsenic panel

Facts about plastic unwrap hype

Anti-chlorine crusade fouls Great Lakes region

CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

Monckton names names on Climategate

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

The clear-cutting facts about the rainforest

Are we really losing one football field every minute?...

The rainforest issue: Myths and facts

CFACT briefing paper compares two very differing views about people and nature in the tropics...

Addressing the root causes of illegal immigration

Focusing on property rights and economic opportunity back home could help solve growing border issue...

All pain, no gain

The reality behind the mythology of Cap and Trade...

Melting the facts about Greenland's ice sheet

Viking history, ice core samples, and observations of solar cycle cast doubt on human responsibility for climate change...

Are organic foods really better?

Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture...

CFACT arrives in Copenhagen

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

Carbon 'sins' forgiven in Bonn

CFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates...

Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long line

Inconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists...

An Inconvenient Terrorist

Armed eco-terrorist who experienced an “awakening” by watching Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth was shot and killed after storming Discovery Channel Building. Radical manifesto condemns 'parasitic children' and human civilization, calling for sterilization and giving the planet back to the squirrels....

An ill wind in New Jersey

Proposed windmill would cost $7 million, stand taller than the Statue of Liberty, and when the wind isn't blowing would need to be kept turning with electricity from a traditional plant in order to avoid mechanical failure....

End environmental experiments on Africans!

Environmentalists are using African parents and children in anti-DDT experiments. They are playing with our lives. So are the government agencies and others who support their policies. This is wrong and immoral. And it is only one of the ways they use Africans as experimental laboratory animals....

Prepare for an ice age!

"Little ice ages" are the flip side of the 1500-year warming cycle. We should take advantage of the favorable climate we are currently enjoying to increase research on high-yield agriculture, biotechnology, water conservation and other advances now only dreamt of....

Howard Stern: 'Bring back DDT!'

Stern argues that New York's bedbug problem is nothing compared to the millions dying from malaria in Africa, quoting extensively from an article by CFACT's Paul Driessen....

New York's bedbugs vs. Africa's malaria crisis

Our obsession with pesticide “risks” has very different consequences for America and Africa....

How to save the Chesapeake Bay: Oysters vs. Regulations

Oysters kept the Bay clean in the past, but the EPA is ignoring this proven solution in favor of big government regulations....

New ethanol policy poses heavy cost for consumers

E15 ethanol mandates would bring huge benefits for ethanol producers at the expense of the rest of us....

Empowering the poor in the Yucatan jungle

Local villagers struggle to survive in Becan, but a new program promises to bring prosperity by unleashing their creativity and energy....

{ from An Inconvenient Terrorist }

Inconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists...

{ from Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long line }

Descendants of black property owners in Georgia whose land was seized by the federal government at the beginning of WWII are locking horns with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The black landowners want the government to give back what it took, and the bureaucrats want to hold on to what they have....

{ from Rural Georgia blacks demand feds return expropriated land }

Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham....

{ from Target: Monckton }

Droughts are caused by many reasons, and human's ability to adapt is greater than ever before in our history....

{ from Is America's west doomed to drought? }

The federal government has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on research that has completely failed to affect temperatures or demonstrate an empirical link between human CO2 emissions and global warming....

{ from The global warming fleecing of the American taxpayer }

Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham....

{ from Target: Monckton }

Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham....

{ from Target: Monckton }

Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham....

{ from Target: Monckton }

Marc Morano receives another award for his journalism covering the global warming movement....

{ from Climate Depot’s award hat trick }

...

{ from Adding 'ecocide' to list of major international crimes }

To the dismay of environmentalists, in the 1980s poor rice farmers in Asia and Latin America began cutting down mangrove trees to make room for profitable shrimp ponds. Now, shrimp farming has become more efficient, taking far less land per pound of food, and the wastes have been disarmed....

{ from Shrimp farming has grown up }

'Low carbon fuel standards' mean higher costs, few environmental benefits and less liberty...

{ from It's really about controlling our lives }

It may turn out that the public still supports offshore drilling -- albeit with new safeguards based on what is learned from this spill -- but not a moratorium on all offshore oil production....

{ from Taxpayers shouldn't pay for oil spill clean-up }

Stark contrast between Stalinist North and democratic South Korea...

{ from It's Always 'Earth Hour' in North Korea }

Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture...

{ from Are organic foods really better? }

The Gulf of Mexico could turn into a giant dead zone if some means cannot be found to staunch the flow of oil and toxic gases emerging from beneath the Deepwater Horizon. Industry insiders are beginning to speak openly among themselves of an unmitigated disaster....

{ from BP and the unmitigated disaster }

The EPA has threatened to impose penalties and fines on the Amish if they don't change their ways, which the EPA considers to be polluting the environment....

{ from EPA sets its sights on Pennsylvania Amish }

Policies contained in this bill would empower bureaucrats at the FWS to wield their already considerable administrative power even more relentlessly....

{ from New Congressional initiative to create 'wildlife corridors' }

There is simply no room in science, academia or public policy for manipulation, falsification or fraud. Academic freedom does not confer a right to engage in such practices, and both attorneys general and research institutions have a duty to root them out, especially in the case of climate change research....

{ from Ken Cuccinelli v. 810 academics }

Who is helping to contain the Gulf oil spill disaster?...

{ from BP Oil Spill Resources }

CFACT's Driessen: "Senators have some explaining to do"...

{ from Questions posed for Kerry, Lieberman on new climate-energy bill }

Learning (the right lessons, hopefully) from the Gulf of Mexico disaster....

{ from Lessons from the Gulf blowout }

Stark contrast between Stalinist North and democratic South Korea...

{ from It's Always 'Earth Hour' in North Korea }

CFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates...

{ from Carbon 'sins' forgiven in Bonn }

Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture...

{ from Are organic foods really better? }

CFACT's Mother Earth sells carbon indulgences to UN climate delegates...

{ from Carbon 'sins' forgiven in Bonn }

How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very....

{ from A chill hits wind power }

Stark contrast between Stalinist North and democratic South Korea...

{ from It's Always 'Earth Hour' in North Korea }

We can't prevent earthquakes, but we can prevent blindness....

{ from Greenpeace Opts for Millions of Blind Kids }

Columnist notes that President Obama must speak out or there will be an increase in climate change skepticism....

{ from Climate Depot is impacting Obama's climate initiative }

The notion that plastic bags pose a threat to waterborne wildlife is as fashionable as it is false....

{ from Plastic bags withstand the test of time ... and politicians }

With adversaries like this – you don’t need friends...

{ from An independent review for the IPCC? }

Morano received The Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for his exposé of the ClimateGate scandal....

{ from CFACT's Marc Morano recognized for outstanding journalism }

A proposed nickel and copper mine in Michigan’s economically hard-hit Upper Peninsula will never see the light of day if a coalition of environmental groups get their way....

{ from Environmentalists attack nickel mine }

How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very....

{ from A chill hits wind power }

Bad science, expensive lawsuits hampering cleanup of needed sites...

{ from Since Love Canal, superfund ain't so super }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

How likely is it that wind turbines can add to Oregon’s generating capacity in the midst of the winter electricity demand surge, and offset the hydroelectric generating restrictions? Not very....

{ from A chill hits wind power }

Media hits for CFACT Copenhagen stunt gaining speedy momentum...

{ from Laughs for Greenpeace "Climate Caper" turning into international roar }

Senator Boxer is compounding the Climategate scandal with cover-up and obstruction...

{ from Taxpayer Robbery Gate }

There’s no room to deny the record breaking cold winter right now....

{ from Don't Get Mad About the Weather - Get Even }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

There’s no room to deny the record breaking cold winter right now....

{ from Don't Get Mad About the Weather - Get Even }

Focusing on property rights and economic opportunity back home could help solve growing border issue...

{ from Addressing the root causes of illegal immigration }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Monckton asks difficult questions of Dr. Pachauri after a speech at the University of Copenhagen...

{ from Lord Christopher Monckton questions IPPC chairman }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader....

{ from Climate skeptics gain steam }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

CFACT releases short new video challenging scientific "consensus" on climate change...

{ from All Pain No Gain Video: Inconvenient Science }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

CFACT briefing paper compares two very differing views about people and nature in the tropics...

{ from The rainforest issue: Myths and facts }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Are we really losing one football field every minute?...

{ from The clear-cutting facts about the rainforest }

CFACT briefing paper compares two very differing views about people and nature in the tropics...

{ from The rainforest issue: Myths and facts }

...

{ from Lord Monckton on Climategate: Whistle Blower not }

The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis...

{ from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader....

{ from Climate skeptics gain steam }

CFACT, along with Climate skeptics, help topple an Australian liberal leader....

{ from Climate skeptics gain steam }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

In daring land and sea raids, activists tag Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior with “Propaganda Warrior” banner; Arctic Sunrise hit with “Ship of Lies” banner earlier in the day...

{ from CFACT drops the banner on Greenpeace ships }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

...

{ from Lord Monckton on Climategate: Whistle Blower not }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet...

{ from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News }

CFACT releases short new video challenging scientific "consensus" on climate change...

{ from All Pain No Gain Video: Inconvenient Science }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

The UN is running a bland, mediocre trade-show...

{ from Knute suit }

CFACT releases short new video challenging scientific "consensus" on climate change...

{ from All Pain No Gain Video: Inconvenient Science }

Craig Rucker's "Copenhagen Insider" blog from National Journal...

{ from A different kind of red and green this Yuletide }

The reality behind the mythology of Cap and Trade...

{ from All pain, no gain }

The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis...

{ from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science }

Leading newspaper features story on CFACT scientific conference at U.N. meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark...

{ from New York Times carries CFACT's 'Climate Sense' Conference }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Al Gore's claim to have a scientific consensus in support of global warming is confronted by protesters from CFACT's own Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow....

{ from CFACT Collegians organize protest against appearance by Al Gore }

Lord Christopher Monckton debunks climate fears in Copenhagen...

{ from Monckton names names on Climategate }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

Prominent group of climate protesters shows some interesting colors at Copenhagen rally...

{ from Socialists and Communists march to support global warming agenda }

Are we really losing one football field every minute?...

{ from The clear-cutting facts about the rainforest }

The developing world is told to make sacrifices to save the planet...

{ from CFACT's Morano debates UN climate treaty on Britain's Sky News }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Singer, Morner, Plimer headline all-star science cast...

{ from CFACT sponsors climate science conference: The debate is not over }

Facts challenge organic's benefits over modern agriculture...

{ from Are organic foods really better? }

The proponents of global warming talk emotion and anecodote, while the realists talk facts, figures, measurements, history and scientific analysis...

{ from National Journal: Clash between the Guardian and science }

CFACT's delegation arived in Copenhagen, Denmark to educate delegates and media from around the world that the climate change treaty is All Pain No Gain....

{ from CFACT arrives in Copenhagen }

Dr. Singer says global warming made up by man, not man-made...

{ from Is global warming from man? }

If an herbicide, that can drastically improve farming, has proven to be safe for not only the animals in the environment, but also humans, it should be used, right? Not according to the EPA....

{ from Is government standing in the way of lower food costs? }

The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best....

{ from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay }

International efforts to ban chicken coops harms birds, farmers...

{ from In praise of cages for egg laying hens }

How do you turn something as plentiful as grass into food? Feed it to cows and have a B.B.Q.! U.S. meat production per acre has doubled since 1970, largely due to pesticides, veterinary chemistry, and better plant breeding...

{ from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? }

The future of the bay looks bright: stewardship at its best....

{ from Science to save the Chesapeake Bay }

{ from Giving up meat to Save the Planet? }

International efforts to ban chicken coops harms birds, farmers...

{ from In praise of cages for egg laying hens }

Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories...

{ from Global warming bait-and-switch }

Scientific "consensus" and other shady sales tactics promote alarmist theories...

{ from Global warming bait-and-switch }

Three California counties reject measures to ban the use of GM crops...

{ from Voters voice support for biotech farming }

Please Note: You may have disabled JavaScript and/or CSS. Although this news content will be accessible, certain functionality is unavailable.

Skip to News

« back

Eco-terrorism hits Maryland: 'Inconvenient Terrorist' latest in long line
Inconvenient terrorist James Lee who was shot and killed by a SWAT team in the Discovery Channel Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, is the latest of a long line of eco-terrorists
An Inconvenient Terrorist
Armed eco-terrorist who experienced an “awakening” by watching Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth was shot and killed after storming Discovery Channel Building. Radical manifesto condemns 'parasitic children' and human civilization, calling for sterilization and giving the planet back to the squirrels.
An ill wind in New Jersey
Proposed windmill would cost $7 million, stand taller than the Statue of Liberty, and when the wind isn't blowing would need to be kept turning with electricity from a traditional plant in order to avoid mechanical failure.
End environmental experiments on Africans!
Environmentalists are using African parents and children in anti-DDT experiments. They are playing with our lives. So are the government agencies and others who support their policies. This is wrong and immoral. And it is only one of the ways they use Africans as experimental laboratory animals.
Prepare for an ice age!
"Little ice ages" are the flip side of the 1500-year warming cycle. We should take advantage of the favorable climate we are currently enjoying to increase research on high-yield agriculture, biotechnology, water conservation and other advances now only dreamt of.
Howard Stern: 'Bring back DDT!'
Stern argues that New York's bedbug problem is nothing compared to the millions dying from malaria in Africa, quoting extensively from an article by CFACT's Paul Driessen.
New York's bedbugs vs. Africa's malaria crisis
Our obsession with pesticide “risks” has very different consequences for America and Africa.
How to save the Chesapeake Bay: Oysters vs. Regulations
Oysters kept the Bay clean in the past, but the EPA is ignoring this proven solution in favor of big government regulations.
New ethanol policy poses heavy cost for consumers
E15 ethanol mandates would bring huge benefits for ethanol producers at the expense of the rest of us.
Empowering the poor in the Yucatan jungle
Local villagers struggle to survive in Becan, but a new program promises to bring prosperity by unleashing their creativity and energy.
The global warming fleecing of the American taxpayer
The federal government has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars on research that has completely failed to affect temperatures or demonstrate an empirical link between human CO2 emissions and global warming.
Target: Monckton
Lord Monckton is under attack, a sure sign that he’s winning on warming. Monckton fights back and refutes Prof. Abraham.
New coal mine approved in Utah
In a victory for the nation’s beleaguered resources industry, Utah officials have approved a permit for a coal mine in their state.
EPA set to crack down on farm dust
Agency believes dust is a pollutant and wants to impose stringent limitations on the amount of dust farmers are allowed to kick up while plying their trade.
Climate Depot’s award hat trick
Marc Morano receives another award for his journalism covering the global warming movement.
Climate proposals threaten pursuit of happiness and justice
New study documents harmful effects of “cap-and-trade” and “endangerment” schemes.

CFACT combines the passion of environmentalism with the practical solutions of markets and technologies to help solve many of the world’s most pressing concerns.

CFACT is recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-deductible.

Learn more about CFACT
- Follow us!
© CFACT
All articles on this site may be republished without modification and with an attribution of the author and a hotlink to CFACT.org within the body of the article.
Contact Us
Schedule a speaker
Schedule an interview
Media