The Gulf between management and leadership
It has been said that crises are too precious to waste. However, the federal government is squandering the Gulf oil spill crisis.
President Obama and entrenched Democratic Party leaders such as Senator Leahy appear willing to settle for ‘management’ of the crisis without firm ‘leadership’. I don’t know if the explanation is conflict of interest, ‘old school’ out-of-touch thinking, or lack of vision.
The acute needs are to stop gushing oil, capture spilled oil, clean-up and rehabilitate the Gulf ecosystem, compensate those adversely affected, complete a comprehensive investigation, inspect other rigs to prevent a repeat performance, review and optimize regulations, and hold those responsible accountable (legally and other).
The subacute needs are for the Administration and Congressional Majority to reverse its premature support for expansion of offshore drilling (and nuclear power). At the very least, an indefinite hold should be placed. Judge Brown’s injunction should be appealed.
It is the chronic more fundamental issues that need leadership to rectify. The fact is that our (nonexistent) energy/environment system is not working for us. The overwhelming majority of reputable scientists agree that greenhouse gases, due to man’s carbon emitting activities and deforestation, are the cause of global climate disruption. For doubters, even a 1% chance that the ‘global warming’ story is true should cause alarm.
Security hawks should be alarmed by our foreign dependence and consequent energy insecurity; and by our funding of both sides of the war because oil revenue funds the enemy. Fiscal conservatives should be bothered by the hundreds of billions of dollars we hand over to foreign and often unfriendly regimes; and effects on our balance of trade, national debt, and domestic infrastructure and employment. And for ‘quality of life’ junkies, traffic, noise, sprawl, disappearing open space, air pollution, and high cost should cause alarm.
I wish our leaders would lead and squarely and comprehensively confront this existential, security, economic, and quality-of-life threat to the United States. Lincoln did not shy away from fighting to preserve the Union. FDR did not shy away from confronting the Fascism. Kennedy did not shy away from the moon. The top priority on our leaders’ to-do list should be transformational legislation to convert our economy to one based on clean, renewable, reliable, and abundant non-carbon based energy…not to walk in that direction but to sprint with all our abilities. It is us or them. As a patriot, I prefer we lead the world rather than follow or sit on the sideline watching. The world is waiting for us to lead. Kyoto and Copenhagen x 1,000. And as a patriot who wants to maximally support the troops, I want to cripple the enemy’s economic base.
Republicans must be co-opted to the cause: quite simply, transformational environment/energy reform will not be accomplished until Republicans are on-board and cease rebuffing every step. They must be reminded about energy insecurity and that being environmental is ‘red, white, and blue’ (patriotic), not just ‘green’ (Thomas Friedman).
So, what needs to be done? First, establish a legal time limit for importation of oil (e.g., 15 years). Second establish a legal time limit for use of fossil fuels more generally (e.g., 20 years). Third, cancel subsidies for carbon-based fossil fuels. Fourth, incentivize conversion with a fair carbon tax. Fifth, enact strict mandates, subsidies, and penalties for fuel efficiency and alternative energy use for automobile (e.g., CAFE and low carbon fuel standards) and appliance manufacturers, oil companies, and utilities—partially funded via revenue from the carbon tax. Sixth, enact tax deductions and penalties to incentivize smart building development and design. Seventh, invest massively in mass transit construction in every large metropolis and in inter-city rail between all our cities. Eighth, analogous to the ‘Buy American’ campaign, initiate and implement a ‘Support the Troops, Cut Oil Use’ campaign.
Imagine such a rejuvenation of America…the millions of new jobs in manufacturing, building, installation, plumbers, electricians, engineers, educators, and scientists…the sense of purpose, leadership, and moral certitude…the entrepreneurial, investment, and innovation opportunities…
Senator Leahy, I hope you are reading this.
Tags: Daniel Freilich, Energy insecurity, Environment, Global Warming, Green revolution, Senator Patrick Leahy
This entry was posted on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 at 12:39 am and is filed under Environment/Energy, Leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.