By Elmer Beaureguard, February 14, 2007
The Minnesota Legislature may have to fine itself for causing Global Warming! No this is not an "Onion" story. When humans exhale they emit CO2, and CO2 emissions may soon be heavily regulated, according to proposed bills in the Minnesota Legislature.
Senate File: SF0192 and House File: HF0375
The Bills State: “Allowance” means an authorization from a state regulatory agency to emit up to one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent during a specified year.
Well, just by breathing everyone of us Minnesotans or “greenhouse emissions sources” exhale 3/4 of a ton of CO2 in a year. There are 211 Legislators in Session for 120 days at least 8 hours a day and being politicians they emit on average 125% more CO2 than average Minnesotans (public speaking creates more CO2). I figure in one biennium the Minnesota State Legislature releases 20 tons or 10 times the proposed "Allowable" limit of CO2 into the atmosphere. This doesn't even include staff members, special sessions, overtime or filibusters.
Here is the math, just in case you think I'm making it up.
Humans typically breathe between 12 and 20 times per minute, with children breathing faster than adults. Babies may breathe as much as 40 times per minute. Adults normally breathe about 500-700ml of air at a time. An average 14 year old takes around 30,000 breaths per day.
The air we breathe in contains 0.03% CO2, the air we exhale is 5% CO2.
600ml x 30,000 = 18000000ml x .047% = 846000ml of CO2 daily which weighs approx. 3.87lbs x 1.25(politician effect) ÷ 3 (8 hours in session) x 120 days x 211 Legislatures = 20 tons of CO2 per biennium.
If these bills pass, the Legislature could be violating its own law and would have to fine itself for contributing to the destruction of the planet.
A Call To Action!
Its time for Minnesotans For Global Warming to spring into action and let your State Senators and Representatives know that you think these bills are the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen.
Minnesota Senate and Minnesota Representatives
Certainly there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. - Quote from V for Vendetta