As with virtually all good intentions gone awry, the liberal perspective on the environment has taken a bad turn dwelling on minutia or failing to think through the consequences of some of its positions. For instance, coal is in abundance that could well serve our energy needs for hundreds of years. Instead of condemning this asset, environmentalist should try to compromise by stubbornly urging technological research in how to improve the advances already made in keeping coal's damage to the environment at its lowest level. The prodigious cost notwithstanding could by far outweigh the extraordinary cost of maintaining a fleet and never-ending skirmishes in the Middle East to keep the oil flowing. Though strip-mining is ugly and toxic, technology should be ceaseless in devising means simultaneously in taking corrective measures to moisturize and beautify the areas. Far better this than to send miners into the belly of the earth; though better for the environment it wreaks havoc on their health and safety. Even so, environmentalist should never tire in overseeing a process to improve not only working conditions but the process of cleaning up the raw material to protect the environment.
As for oil, I have never been loath to searching for oil in ANWR simply because there have been so many improvements in protecting the environment while drilling, provided there is strict federal regulation and oversight to avoid ravaging the pristine area. Further, and in the long run, existing rigs throughout the country should be re-tapped even though they have been lying dormant because of cost. We have to face up to a higher cost of energy--including the costly process of liquefying shale--in order to protect our environment and minimize reliance on imported oil. Nor should there be any qualms about offshore drilling as long as state and federal oversight dictate stringent protection of the waters, its species and beaches. Energy needs of gas and oil require expansion but with strong defensive environmental measures in the process of restoring energy independence.
It is chic for the public to demand bigger, better and faster cars, but it most also realize that continual CAFE lax endangers the environment. Show me a hummer that can get 35 mpg and I'll accept it tentatively until it reaches 50mpg. The national speed limit of 70mph might be acceptable in wide-open rural highways, but unacceptable in crowded roads. Most communities do enforce 55mph as normative but there are still far too many violations that not only consume excessive gasoline but dangerous.
Who in his right mind would not want to protect three thousand year-old Sequoias and giant redwoods in our national forests? Forest rangers should maintain control over forest clean up and not timber corporations that exploit the fear of fires by cutting down large trees creating only more debris and brush fires.
As for protecting endangered species, the human play's the thing, not arcane species provided they have no impact on the environment based on strong scientific research, and for the exception of whales, manatees, pandas, Bengal tiger and the elephant and other aesthetic mammals for no other reason than respect for these marvelous creatures, except when they pose a threat to human life. Rare and questionable plant life, ancient creatures, and insects that have no proven bearing on human and environmental value should not activate protests to stall projects that better human existence. Alligators is an icon in Florida--until it takes a human limb.
Despite the defense of fossil fuels, I still emphasize the paramount need for alternative fuels. If corn can take the place of oil it is a godsend. In vast open spaces, there is no excuse for not capitalizing on wind as a source of energy. Until research finds a safe way to deal with nuclear waste, a reasonable moratorium on nuclear plants is in order; to counteract this problem, research on fast fusion reactors should be primary as its function is symbiotically to burn and convert its own waste into viable energy, thus ending the nightmare of what to do with waste from fission reactors. And, of course, further progress must be made on solar energy.
Most liberals are committed to the environment not only to protect the planet but to research alternatives for practical reasons, such as incentives for entrepreneurship and creating new jobs.
Copyright © 2006 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: January 30, 2006. http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com