Answering questions about climate pact withdrawal
Congressman French Hill, on June 19, sent an email saying, “Following the president’s move to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Accord, I wanted to give you an opportunity to express your thoughts on this decision through a quick survey.” Expressing my thoughts after the fact seemed a strange request. Withdrawal is a done deal unless it isn’t.
1.) Do you support the president’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Accord, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
No, I don’t. Why give China the leadership role on the most vital challenge in history? Rising temperatures and extreme weather are here. On a recent day, the temperature in the Southwest reached 125 degrees. American Eagle canceled 43 flights to meet operating temperature limits. To avoid a runaway increase in temperature, we must comply with the climate agreement.
2.) Do you think withdrawal from the accord will do more to create U.S. jobs in the energy sector?
No, I don’t. Creating jobs is an empty promise for political ratings. People don’t want to work two temporary, seasonal, dead-end jobs just to pay their bills. Diamond [Pipelines] promised 15 permanent jobs, five for Arkansans. Welspun Little Rock pipe mills offer jobs for temporary employees to avoid paying workers’ compensation insurance. No, we don’t want Welspun jobs.
3.) Do you think withdrawal from the accord will help U.S. energy production and our goal of energy independence?
No, I don’t. Fracking for oil and gas is not about oil or gas production. Frackers have a secret: well depletion. Buy a family-size bag of chips and beer, and invite your friends. At first, the chips are easy to grab. Then, handfuls are taken when no one is watching, a few broken chips remain at the bottom of the bag, and the good chips are gone. Shale crude depletion increases the cost and decreases the yield. At $40 a barrel, game over. Energy independence is a scam masquerading as an energy strategy dating back to Richard Nixon. With a glut of oil and gas, why would we choose to frack our land at 10 times the cost?
4.) Do you think withdrawal from the accord will help international efforts to reduce carbon emissions?
No, I don’t. The U.S. is telling the world: The climate emergency is a hoax; we have weapons for sale!
5.) Do you think withdrawal from the accord will help the U.S. economy?
No, I don’t. Promoting off-shore drilling, approving DAPL and Keystone XL pipelines, defunding environmental protections, attacking science and using health care funds for weapons is a war strategy.
Wars are immense sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Wars are optional; clean air, water and food are not. We are facing a man-made planetary crisis. Peace, respect, compassion and caring are required behaviors.
Energy Freedom is achievable by transitioning from burning fuels. Let’s use free sunlight and wind energy solutions, and embrace 21st century, high-growth, green technologies. We are running out of time!
LUIS CONTRERAS, PH.D.
Eureka Springs