People, this is why you need to do research before you start jumping up and down hollering about dangerous chemicals. New Zealand’s Green Party got a little ahead of themselves when MP Sue Kedgeley received an email detailing all of the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide and spoke out against its use, saying she was ‘absolutely supportive’ of a ban on the chemical solution – otherwise known as water. This has one of New Zealand’s other political parties, the National Party, doing a merry little dance in their haste to point out how ignorant the Green Party’s response was.
From The Scoop:
“The Greens’ support for a ban on dihydrogen monoxide shows just how scientifically illiterate the party is. They would ban anything if it has a slightly scientific name, regardless of the fact that all life would cease without water,” Dr Smith said.
The email on dihydrogen monoxide points out it is a colourless, odourless, tasteless chemical used in all sorts of dangerous industries and that in gaseous form it causes thousands of burns; in liquid form millions of deaths from overdose (drowning), and in its solid state causes tissue damage.
Here’s an important thing we all need to know about the world: everything in and on it is made up of chemical compounds. Scary sounding chemicals are often extremely innocuous. It’s important for environmental activists especially to avoid making assumptions about chemicals and figure out what they are before getting worked up about their use. Scientific literacy, as Dr. Smith of the National Party rightly points out, is very important.
That said, we think this story is hilarious. We love seeing greenies get punked – it keeps us all on our toes.
Link [The Scoop]
Photo credit: Flickr user CTD 2005
