Trump proposes to open all US waters to drilling
Mired in the technological past, heedless of the future
“The Trump administration unveiled a controversial proposal Thursday to permit drilling in most U.S. continental-shelf waters, including protected areas of the Arctic and the Atlantic, where oil and gas exploration is opposed by governors from New Jersey to Florida, nearly a dozen attorneys general, more than 100 U.S. lawmakers and the Defense Department.” Washington Post, Jan. 4, 2018
Why is the US government so intent on exploiting — depleting — US oil, gas and coal resources when all signs point to a decreasing demand for gasoline? The United Kingdom, France and India have all announced their intention to ban gas and diesel powered cars, and even US carmakers are recognizing the growing market for all-electric cars.
Moving to electric cars makes sense. Not only will it eliminate a major source of greenhouse gases in our cities, it will allow the transportation sector to utilize clean and renewable energy for power.
The time is rapidly approaching when the American dream will not longer mean two cars in every garage. Driving to work every day is a time-consuming, expensive burden, taking a toll physically and mentally. Many jobs these days simply do not require it, allowing workers to do their job remotely full or part time.
Depleting resources. Smart governments recognize the depleting nature of resource extraction and establish trust funds to spread the benefits of resource extraction to future generations. The US is willfully blind to the danger of impoverishing future generations as we rush to extract our natural resources. See https://headwaterseconomics.org/county-payments/policy-options/natural-resources-trust/ and http://appvoices.org/2013/12/11/breaking-the-resource-curse/. Remember, the wise squirrel socks away plenty of nuts for winter.
So let’s ask our government to wise up. Protecting our environment is good for everyone. Let’s leave that oil and gas in the ground.
