Embrace a clean-energy vision: Opposing view
The Obama administration's recent announcements on oil and gas drilling are an illogical mix of good news and bad. This contradiction is the inevitable result of an "all of the above" energy policy that aims for compromise but fails the basic test of right vs. wrong.
President Obama clearly understands at least one reason why drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Arctic Ocean is wrong, and he deserves kudos for standing up to those who would sacrifice America's greatest wilderness for oil profits. These unique environments are impossible to develop safely. It is not a question of whether a disaster would happen, but when.
This much we know: The consequences would be catastrophic and long lasting. More than a quarter-century after the Exxon Valdez disaster, Prince William Sound has still not recovered.
The president's energy policies also fail to acknowledge another inescapable reality. As a study published last month in the journal Nature shows, we cannot avoid catastrophic climate change unless we leave untouched at least a third of oil reserves, half of gas reserves and more than 80% of current coal reserves. In light of that fact, risking the destruction of our public lands and coastlines to find and extract more fossil fuel reserves becomes even more foolish and irresponsible.
The good news is that we have a better path. Clean energy is already beginning to replace fossil fuels, revitalize American industry and save Americans money. But we will not truly be on the path to addressing climate change until we have a policy of developing clean energy sources while reducing — not escalating — fossil fuels. By 2030, we could cut oil for transportation by 50%. We could also get virtually all of our electricity without burning coal or gas.
The benefits would go beyond saving our climate. We'd save thousands of American lives cut short by pollution, while protecting our oceans and our precious wild places.
It is time to put "drill today and worry about tomorrow later" behind us for good. By embracing a 100% clean-energy vision, we can create a prosperous society that gets all of its power from sources that are safe, secure and sustainable. Why should we settle for less?
Michael Brune is executive director of the Sierra Club.