June 07, 2008
Right-Wing Environmentalism . . .
is not a contradiction in terms.
Melissa Clouthier, over at my new weekend gig, discusses right-wing participation in those "strange bedfellows" ads regarding global warming.
This is a delicate issue, because no one I know (um, that is, among my political homies) wants to (1) join the stampede toward the "majority vote" approach to science; (2) concede that global warming is anthropogenic, without just a bit more evidence; (3) specify that an increase in the earth's temperature would necessarily be A Bad Thing.
And yet, like Ms. Clouthier, a lot of us are saddened by the idea of ceding all environmental issues to the left. Remember in the 1970s, when there were two approaches to what we now call environmentalism? There were ecologists on the left, and conservationists on the right.
Now we have the magic of ever-evolving language (no word means anything from decade to decade any more: that would be like sticking with one tie width for 20 years; don't be silly). And the term "environmentalism" means left-wing resource management. And there is no term for right-wing stewardship of Planet Earth. Mostly because many of us suspect that the Third Rock from the Sun is hardier than we've been led to believe. But also because we tend to recoil from the puritanism we see in the modern "environmental" movement.
And yet most of us recycle, and most of us try not to waste resources. Most of us support alternative fuels (if only for foreign policy reasons).
It is not, in short, that we disagree with the goal of keeping the ecosystems running: it is more that we have different ideas of what the tactics should be, and that we still think humans aren't an unmitigated scourge upon the Earth—nor is science and technology any particular enemy.
Like that.
Posted by: Attila Girl at
11:36 AM
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From Congressman Roy Blunt (R - MO)--
ANWR Exploration House Republicans: 91% Supported House Democrats: 86% Opposed
Coal-to-Liquid
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 78% Opposed
Oil Shale Exploration
House Republicans: 90% Supported
House Democrats: 86% Opposed
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration
House Republicans: 81% Supported
House Democrats: 83% Opposed
Refinery Increased Capacity
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 96% Opposed
SUMMARY
91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of American-made oil and gas.
86% of House Democrats have historically voted against increasing the production of American-made oil and gas.
The data and analysis has never been stronger against doing anything about climate change other than dealing with the minor effects when they occur. CO2 has increased in the atmosphere as a result of subtle warming that occurred since the little ice age. Warm oceans hold less CO2 than cold oceans--the same thing you see in your glass of gin and tonic--you ice your drink to keep the fizz and conversely your drinks lose their fizz as they warm. The trace amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere (380 parts per million) are whispers from the past and have about reached their maximum impact on the climate. The first coat of black paint on your window makes it 95% opaque. The second coat may make it 97% opaque--only a 2% gain. The total change we've experienced in temperature is around one degree in over 100 years. Divide that by 365, then by 24, then by 100, and it's not even worth talking about. Especially if your from the Midwest where we see a seasonal temperature change of over 120 degrees---every year!
Want to save $45 TRILLION DOLLARS? Drop this global warming bullshit! Tell your candidate to stop talking gibberish and spend the money where it will actually serve human needs, like desalination plants. Or more premium gins.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_bi_ge/japan_iea_climate_change
Posted by: Darrell at June 07, 2008 12:09 PM (ssleZ)
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You know--I'm not sure I've really covered the areas in which we
do need to spend Federal monies: disaster relief, defense, distileries . . .
Posted by: Attila Girl at June 07, 2008 12:19 PM (1q/ac)
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