The times they are a changin'…

In mid February 2009, the United States shocked the world community meeting in Nairobi, Kenya when it reversed the policy of the George Bush administration concerning mercury in the environment. Mercury comes from a variety of sources, not the least of which is coal burning plants. Mercury is a particularly nasty toxic substance because it directly attacks the protective sheath surround nerve axons and causes the nerve to die. It is believed to be the major factor in autism and ADD, as well as neurological diseases associated with aging. Contaminated ocean and freshwater fish, silver amalgam dental fillings, electronic devices, and many other things contain levels of mercury that, over time, become very dangerous. 

The Bush White House opposed taking significant global action against mercury. In a pro-energy oilman mentality, anything impacting coal and other possible sources of energy based income was considered hands off. In the recent meeting in Kenya, the United States turned that stance topsy turvy by saying…

We have now arrived at a point where there is a call to come together to launch an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international agreement on mercury.,, We are prepared… to help lead in developing a global legally binding instrument for mercury.

The impact of this new position was extremely powerful because it has forced other countries who resisted addressing the mercury issue like China and India to also reconsider and, ultimately, alter their positions to fall in line with the United States. 

Get the full text of United States' position>>>