This week, we woke up to more rain in Juneau. After a nice snow around Christmas, we have seen far more rain than snow. This has been our experience for several years now.
Who knows the effects of climate change better than Alaskans? Alaska Natives, those involved with the Iditarod, all who have watched glaciers retreat at alarming rates understand intuitively and from experience and observation that our climate is deteriorating. Not only do we see the evidence, we also hear from a significant majority of climate scientists that global warming is occurring, that human behaviors are largely responsible, and that this is not explained by routine, expected cycles in the weather.
Yet, we have politicians who deny climate change and seek to use every way to allow the fossil fuel industry to do increasing harm. We have a president who has muzzled the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies and who has nominated a strong opponent of the EPA to be the EPA administrator. This alone should tell us there is no interest by the current administration in reversing environmental deterioration.
The current administration seems dedicated to the oil industry at the expense of alternative energy and the world we live in. Look at the evidence. They have nominated a man who just last year was CEO of Exxon to be the Secretary of State. Exxon has a very significant investment in Russian oil reserves; they have been blocked by the sanctions imposed on Russia from developing these reserves. Will the former Exxon CEO advocate to remove the sanctions in his position as Secretary of State thus allowing Exxon to exploit these reserves?
And now we hear that we are willing to “steal” oil from countries like Iraq where we have American troops. And we are reinstating the construction of two oil pipelines. Who lives in Oklahoma and doesn’t know that fracking has resulted in dramatic increases in earthquakes in that state. Oil, oil, oil! Let us not forget the Exxon Valdez, the Gulf of Mexico, the many pipeline breaks causing damage to land and water all over the country.
I do not accept irresponsible governmental management in denial about the role of oil on our environment. Yes, Alaska benefits from “drill, drill, drill”, but will Alaska benefit if the oil source is moved to Russia, to Iraq, to the origins of the Keystone and Dakota pipelines? Isn’t it better for Alaska to continue building a responsible economy independent of oil? I strongly ask that our Senators and Representative oppose every devious step being taken by the Trump party on behalf of the oil industry. I ask that they support efficient automobiles, mass transit, green construction, alternative energy development and rational use of science.
• Reed Reynolds lives in Juneau and have been an Alaskan since October 1986. He taught economics and business for 30 years including 16 years at Purdue University Calumet, 11 years at Sheldon Jackson College and four years at UAS Juneau and Sitka. He also has served on the boards of both the Sitka Community Hospital and Bartlett Regional Hospital. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Drury University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.
