What Caught My Eye Today

Climate - China, India and other energy-guzzling developing nations rejected key elements of a global warming strategy embraced by President Bush and leaders of wealthy nations. Imagine that--a difference in opinion between the haves and the have-nots. The "major economies" are the world's 16 largest-emitting nations, accounting for 80% of the world's air pollution. The expanded meeting that included all of them was the first time their leaders had sat down together for climate discussions. it ended with only a vague reference in their final declaration to a long-term goal for reducing global emissions and a pledge for rich and poor countries to work together. Only a few of the emerging powers — Indonesia, Australia and South Korea — agreed to back the 50% by 2050 reduction target. The five main developing nations — China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, who together represent 42% of the world's population — issued a statement explaining their split with the G-8 over its emissions-reduction goals. They said they rejected the notion that all should share in the 50% target, since it is wealthier countries that have created most of the environmental damage up to now. Well sure. Can you blame them? They want the same opportunities to screw up the environment that we had, before they mend their ways. I was never one to buy into that whole "learn from the mistakes of others" deal.

Iran - Iran test-fired nine missiles, including ones capable of hitting Israel, making a dramatic show of its readiness to strike back if the United States or Israel attacks it over its nuclear program. The launches sparked strong U.S. criticism and a jump in oil prices. Of course it did. Heck, I could fart the wrong way and oil prices could rise. The tests of the long- and medium-range missiles did not appear to mark a significant advance in Iran's missile capability — similar ones have been tested previously. Iran has long warned it would strike back for any attack against it. But it has sharpened its rhetoric since Israel's military sent warplanes over the eastern Mediterranean in June for a large military exercise that U.S. officials described as a possible rehearsal for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. A White House spokesman called the tests "completely inconsistent with Iran's obligations to the world" and said they further isolate the country. Far be it from me to support Iranian foreign policy, but why does this come as a surprise to anyone? If some other country was running military exercises in my backyard and openly admitting that the exercises were a rehearsal for invading my borders, I might be inclined to show some defensive posturing to discourage them from doing so. In some circles, this would be called protecting one's sovereignty.

Japan - Here's a cautionary tale... A Japanese labor bureau has ruled that one of Toyota's top car engineers died from working too many hours, the latest in a string of such findings in a nation where extraordinarily long hours for some employees has long been the norm. If memory serves me, Japan also has a rather high rate of suicide. Aw shucks. I'm sure there is no connection between the two. The man who died had been under severe pressure as the lead engineer in developing a hybrid version of Toyota's blockbuster Camry line. In the two months up to his death, the man averaged more than 80 hours of overtime per month. There is an effort in Japan to cut down on deaths from overwork, known as "karoshi." Such deaths have steadily increased since the Health Ministry first recognized the phenomenon in 1987. Okay, so now I feel vindicated. To all those naysayers who suggest that I'm lazy or lacking in motivation, I say that's just bunk. I'm looking after my health. And if that's a crime, then call me guilty. Now, somebody go get me another beer and get me the remote control.

Sperm - And yet another red flag warning... Scientists have found that obese men have worse sperm than normal-weight men. A study analyzed the sperm samples of more than 5,000 men in Scotland, and divided the men into groups according to their Body Mass Index. Men who had an optimal BMI (20 to 25) had higher levels of normal sperm than those who were overweight or obese. How would you like to have been the poor slob having to collect all those samples? The researchers adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that could have affected men's sperm count, like smoking, alcohol intake, history of drug abuse, and age. There are several theories about why obese men might have bad sperm. Because fat tissue influences the metabolism of sex hormones, scientists think it might also disrupt sperm production. It could also be a temperature problem. Sperm is best produced at a temperature two degrees cooler than normal body temperature. But because obese men have more fat, their bodies might be overheated. So men, here it is. If your swimmers don't seem to be closing the deal here's what you need to do: get some exercise, stop getting older and pretty much stop doing anything that you derive any enjoyment from (other than...well, you know).

Happiness - Tired of all the depressing news, and if not, what are you smoking? Despite the anxieties of these times, happiness has been on the rise around the world in recent years, a new survey finds. The upbeat outlook is attributed to economic growth in previously poor countries, democratization of others, and rising social tolerance for women and minority groups. Denmark is the happiest nation and Zimbabwe the the most glum. And just what do those whiny Zimbabweans have to be depressed about? The United States ranks 16th. survey finds people of rich countries tend to be happier than those of poor countries. Wow, that is surprising. I heard that countries that suppress freedom of speech, scored rather high on the survey. I'm sure that's just a coincidence.