updated
I commend Interior Secretary Salazar’s decision today to conditionally approve drilling at three exploratory wells in the Chukchi Sea off the northwest coast of Alaska; it’s a decision that’s been a long time coming. The area north of the Arctic Circle contains some of the world’s richest oil and gas reserves. U.S. Geological Survey researchers estimate that it contains 1.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 83 billion barrels of undiscovered oil. … – Sarah Palin
People are upset at the Washington Post. With over 1,500 comments and counting, I’d say they’re ecstatic about the noise that follows Mrs. Palin everywhere she goes. Is there any other Republican that could match it? Never mind that Sarah Palin’s demand that Obama boycott Copenhagen is ridiculous. There are enough skeptics after “climategate” to give her quite a platform. Besides, the business of news is real and Palin is good for it.
Cannibal polar bears (h/t Joe Subday, but warning: pictures are graphic) doesn’t concern Mrs. Palin.
Marc Ambinder points to this post, one of many surfacing about what we face as we all confront the East Anglia science and email disaster.
I am not a climate science specialist and I can’t claim to represent the wider science community. However, I am a geologist with a Ph.D. and 30 years of research experience. As I became personally involved in research on CO2 capture and storage over the past four years, I have taken an increasing interest in the underlying observations that have led the great majority of scientists to conclude that action is necessary to reduce and mitigate CO2 emissions.
Palin today:
We can say, however, that any potential benefits of proposed emissions reduction policies are far outweighed by their economic costs.
What about the cost in human quality of life, especially that of children?
A research study published in 2002 estimated that 30 percent of childhood asthma is due to environmental exposures, costing the nation $2 billion per year. And studies also suggest that air pollution may contribute to the development of asthma in previously healthy people.
Of course, even this truth isn’t the issue for Mrs. Palin, who is arguing something else entirely, something well beyond science, in fact, that science doesn’t matter. We’ve been here many times in human history, where scientists come up against a large group of people who have other interests at heart.
Science versus business at a time of economic instability is losing right now; at a time where U.S. economic power is seen as dwindling. With our “military industrial complex” our primary export. Old economy versus a potential new economy where green jobs are created is still a dream, with oil and gas companies, “new coal”, an oxymoron if ever there was one, fighting hard, and nuclear seen as a possible new solution, even if the old challenges remain.
All of this a national security imperative for this country, as China rises, along with India, which is fine, but not unless we’re rising too, which economically we are not. Or more to the point, creatively we are not. This is about innovation, with the conference I attended last week offering more proof that the U.S. is lagging far behind on an “innovation economy,” something Sarah Palin does not represent with her “drill, baby, drill,” with Palin’s quote at the very top of this post revealing that the Obama administration is still relying on old answers, too, which plays into Palin’s hands.
Palin’s message is reaching a segment of America that likes what she’s saying, because it’s comforting. Relying on the 20th century notion that the United States is not in a competitive challenge with other countries of the world, so there’s no need for the U.S. to gear up, including ramping up U.S. innovation to meet what other countries are doing. “We’re number one” still, the message on which the right thrives. With anyone who says we need to innovate and create green jobs, one solution, as part of a new economy beyond our 20th century comfort companies, seen as someone who “hates America” or is criticizing the U.S. by implying we’re not a great nation anymore.
It’s because of our greatness that we’ve proven time and again we can rise to any challenge, but unfortunately our politicians, regardless of party, are missing the moment we’re in. Pres. Obama not doing close to enough on the innovation side so far, something that put one of his economic advisers, Austin Goolsbee, on the defensive last week.
“Clean energy has become a jihad on both sides… Let’s make it a jobs bill.” – Jeffrey Immelt
Democrats get it, but there has thus far been little effort in the Democratic majority to get it done, to edit what futurist Eric Best has said. With this entire year a lost opportunity for Congress and Pres. Obama, who should have given Palin & company nowhere to go by launching a 21st century Project Green immediately, rising to our economic and employment crisis immediately, mimicking what J.F.K. did when he had the vision to take science and this country to the moon.
Sarah Palin is distorting science and using Copenhagen and “climategate” to her advantage, just like she did on her health care “death panels” gambit.
A politician doesn’t have to know how to solve challenges to win an argument and take center stage. They simply need to have the talent to sell a message that enough Americans are hungry to buy.
Comments are open.
Great article Taylor. As part of my Obama (and even the Dems) gets it right (sometimes!) campaign, I am posting the following links to the FT showing how Obama managed to weaken opposition to his climate change initiative by using regulation to force the hand of Congress. These links explain the significance of yesterdays ruling from the EPA.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/759a741e-e34e-11de-8d36-00144feab49a.html
Big business goes on the offensive
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2e875fce-e399-11de-9f4f-00144feab49a.html
Quote
“Certainly, yesterday’s “endangerment” finding – which the EPA says was based on “decades of sound, peer-reviewed, extensively evaluated scientific data” – will have huge implications for business. It could allow the EPA to use the Clean Air Act to require emitters of more than 250 tonnes of carbon a year – a threshold that critics say would sweep up buildings such as schools and apartment blocks – to start cutting their carbon output in 2012.
However, analysts say that the EPA is likely to raise the bar to large stationary sources that emit more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon a year, which would limit the new regulations to power and chemical plants, oil refineries and cement kilns.
Regardless, business lobby groups could file lawsuits to delay the implementation of the new regulations, which would cover carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases, for years. But in spite of the business uproar, the Obama administration appears to have deftly achieved two goals with the EPA’s ruling. First, it will strengthen the US’s position when Barack Obama, president, goes to Copenhagen next week.
The Obama administration has expressed a preference for legislation over regulation, but with the bills proceeding through Congress at a glacial pace, it decided to act unilaterally yesterday. Now, faced with the prospect of less flexible and more expensive regulation through the EPA, the cap-and-trade system suddenly looks like the better option for business. “Obviously it would be better to have thoughtful legislation,” said Steve Chazen, president of Occidental Petroleum, the US’s fourth-biggest oil and gas company.
End of quote
Finally, as regards innovation, check out what I consider to be one of the most brilliant website out there. It is a FREE website showing speeches from the smartest and innovative people of the world. One invention from this Indian guy Pranav Mistry who studied at MIT is just AMAZING. And you are right there is a lot going on in the world as regards innovation, the US cannot afford to fall behind.
http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html
Sorry for my long comments!
Long comments with serious content are welcome, Isis. Great stuff from you today and it’s appreciated. Very interesting that the Ted dynamic @ that site was created by GE, Jeffrey Immelt leading.
Whether Sarah’s climate change, “drill, baby, drill,” or Dick Cheney, these Republicans seem willing to stand against innovation and science, as well as 21st century solutions, even ignoring the economic urgency.
The cynicism on the right is like a deathstar for our country and our planet where the environment is concerned. They are appealing to people who distrust science,intellectuals,studies coming out of major universities because they all fall under the rubric of elitism.
This is where I think the so called progresive blogs and cable shows have undermined our case. They have been so condescending to Palin and all the wing nuts that they have just served to reinforce the divisions and the elitist charge.
This country is way too divided to be able to met the challenges of today. We practically have paralisis in congress with the Senate the worst.The whole country is dithering over inconsequential differences when you think about the survival of humandkind. I continue to be surprised at how dumb we have become as a nation.
Isis…thanks for all the info.
The cynicism on the right is like a deathstar for our country…
Very nice.
Taylor – nice job. And great comments from Isis. I’m no scientist but my husband is and has been involved in the study of CO2 emissions for most of his career. As he keeps saying “we do nothing at our own peril.” He keeps reminding his students that our planet is a living, breathing organism which can take just so much abuse, and will die if we don’t take care of it. I’m no alarmist but I think we have to accept the fact that the earth is in jeopardy. As an aside, I have 2 children, 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild who suffer from asthma. No one in my family prior to my children’s generation suffered from asthma, insanity maybe
but not asthma.
Ha! Jane
..good to see you here.
I thank you too, Isis.
Agreed Jane Austem, indeed a great job. My husband, too is a scientist, and is in total agreement with what JA says her husband has been saying. This is about a lot more than economic disaster.
As an aside, like JA, as well. My husband and I both came from families of 7 (5 kids). No Asthma. We have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren – all have asthma.
Yes, Jane Austen, it is so good to see you here again. You are always missed – you have so much to offer.
I’ve missed you all too and hope that I’ll be back once the health care debacle is finished. Today is a snow day so I stayed home to work.
I keep thinking about this climate change argument and just don’t understand how anyone can think that we can keep abusing this earth as we have without devastating repercussions. The only way I can explain what I mean is to use an analogy with smoking and the body. People smoke, causing all kinds of horrid things to happen to their bodies. Aren’t we doing the same thing to the earth? I know that’s a simplistic way of looking at things but it’s the best I could do at the moment.
“Tell a lie, that is big enough, and repeat it often enough, and the whole world will believe it.” Adolf Hitler. It would seem that Palin and the Republicans subscribe to that fascist advice day in and day out. If you think about it, when Palin says “Drill, baby, drill” it comes across as having two seperate and distinct meanings. Especially when she flashes that silly little smile of hers as she’s saying it. Peace
Andrea Mitchell did a great interview with Al Gore today. Boy, the Supreme Court really screwed this country. Just think if we were at the end of eight years with Gore as our leader.He was very supportive of the President.
Yep, Lake Lady – they certainly did. I think they know it too. History will not look kindly on them or the Robert’s Court either imho.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/71307-fda-opposes-senate-drug-importation-amendmen
How do you like these apples? This is coming from the Adminstration. just proves Taylor’s point. Obama does not cae about progressive perogatives.
djjl…I wonder if Sandra Day Oconner will come out a admit it was a mistake some day?
Sarah Palin is a *perfect* example of the “rape the planet” crowd. The fundamentalist Right cares neither for the animal life (“If God didn’t want us to eat them ,why did He make them of meat?”), nor the plant life (“Football fields a minute disappearing? Who cares?”) nor the planet in general because when the Rapture comes (“Soon, baby. It’s comin’ soon. All the ‘signs’ are there. THEN we won’t even need this silly planet.”).
THIS is what you get when your entire life is ruled by ancient mythology. I’m sorry. Those who ‘believe’ yet don’t accept the Fringe take, need to get off the stump and tell these people to quit using your “God’ as an excuse to rape and pillage.
And right now? Sarah is their QUEEN.
By the way – I won’t be here, but I truly hope in 20 years a ‘signed’ (or ‘scribbled on’ as no one could call what she’s doing a ‘signature’) Palin book will be worth about the same thing ($10) as a ‘Billy Beer’ from the Carter administration (Palin’s book is going for about $90 at the moment). And that photo she’s charging you $16 for now? will be worth about 16 cents. Any collector will tell you ‘quantity’ has a direct effect on the value – and Sarah is going to suck this moneytrain dry.
The 9-11-2001 attacks happened on Cheney’s watch. The myth of Republican party superiority on defense and national security exploded on the first plane that hit the world trade center on 9-11-2001.
Why do boorish anti intellectual Republicans follow Ms Palin?
As Whoopi Goldberg would say. She’s F*CKABLE.
RIGHT DA FU*K ON!