War on Terra
Encyclopedia
The War on Terra is a catchphrase that refers to the environmental protection
policies of the United States
and other countries, mainly in relation to global warming
. It is a pun on the word "terror" (as in the War on Terror
), as Terra is Latin
for Earth
. The phrase was first used by protesters who objected to U.S. President
George W. Bush
's environmental
and diplomatic
policies and appeared on at least one protest sign, but it entered the everyday vernacular of millions of young people when it was used on The Daily Show
by host Jon Stewart
. Since then, several organizations have used the term.
In October 2005http://www.tv.com/the-daily-show/cameron-diaz/episode/524826/recap.html, Jon Stewart did a segment about the War on Terra as a means by which Bush supposedly intended to destroy Mother Nature
. Beginning with a report about melting ice cap
s in the Arctic Circle
, Stewart claimed, "There is near-universal consensus that the melting is due to global warming, though the Bush administration counters that the ice caps are not melting; rather, the water
has been liberated." Later, he transitioned to the issue of endangered species
: "Of course, wrecking the planet is an abstract and long-term proposition. There's a more concrete satisfaction to be had: killing off a species." Stewart proceeded to discuss how tiger
s may become extinct due to the environmental policies of China
.
In addition to the environmental meaning, the phrase has also been used to refer to Bush's pre-emptive
military tactics
, known as the Bush Doctrine
. Although this was not the primary focus of Stewart's report, his claim about liberating water was based on Bush's claim that the invasion was to spread freedom; see Operation Enduring Freedom for more information. In this sense, Terra refers to a war against the entire world, largely because of the stiff opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq
and Bush's vow to proceed unilaterally if necessary.
Environmental protection
Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the environment, on individual, organizational or governmental level, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and our technology the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently...
policies of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other countries, mainly in relation to global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
. It is a pun on the word "terror" (as in the War on Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
), as Terra is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. The phrase was first used by protesters who objected to U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's environmental
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
and diplomatic
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
policies and appeared on at least one protest sign, but it entered the everyday vernacular of millions of young people when it was used on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
by host Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
. Since then, several organizations have used the term.
Origin and meanings
In September 2005, the band War on Terra was formed by Eric Morris Anderson and Dwayne Edward Finley. They reside in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.In October 2005http://www.tv.com/the-daily-show/cameron-diaz/episode/524826/recap.html, Jon Stewart did a segment about the War on Terra as a means by which Bush supposedly intended to destroy Mother Nature
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother. Images of women representing mother earth, and mother nature, are timeless...
. Beginning with a report about melting ice cap
Ice cap
An ice cap is an ice mass that covers less than 50 000 km² of land area . Masses of ice covering more than 50 000 km² are termed an ice sheet....
s in the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
, Stewart claimed, "There is near-universal consensus that the melting is due to global warming, though the Bush administration counters that the ice caps are not melting; rather, the water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
has been liberated." Later, he transitioned to the issue of endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
: "Of course, wrecking the planet is an abstract and long-term proposition. There's a more concrete satisfaction to be had: killing off a species." Stewart proceeded to discuss how tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s may become extinct due to the environmental policies of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
In addition to the environmental meaning, the phrase has also been used to refer to Bush's pre-emptive
Pre-Emptive Strike
Pre-Emptive Strike is the first release by Five Finger Death Punch on July 10, 2007. It was only released as a digital download to the American iTunes Music Store. The live version of "The Devil's Own" was recorded at a performance in Las Vegas, Nevada....
military tactics
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
, known as the Bush Doctrine
Bush Doctrine
The Bush Doctrine is a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of former United States president George W. Bush. The phrase was first used by Charles Krauthammer in June 2001 to describe the Bush Administration's unilateral withdrawals from the ABM treaty and the Kyoto...
. Although this was not the primary focus of Stewart's report, his claim about liberating water was based on Bush's claim that the invasion was to spread freedom; see Operation Enduring Freedom for more information. In this sense, Terra refers to a war against the entire world, largely because of the stiff opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
and Bush's vow to proceed unilaterally if necessary.
See also
- War on TerrorWar on TerrorThe War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
- List of wars on concepts
- Global warmingGlobal warmingGlobal warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
- Bush DoctrineBush DoctrineThe Bush Doctrine is a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of former United States president George W. Bush. The phrase was first used by Charles Krauthammer in June 2001 to describe the Bush Administration's unilateral withdrawals from the ABM treaty and the Kyoto...
- Bomb the World
External links
- Jon Stewart's segment on the War on Terra
- Ending the War on Terra by Steve McCormick, President/CEO of The Nature ConservancyThe Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....