Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 14, 2017)
26 Wednesday, June 14, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Hyperbole is a greenhouse gas zy Jim Corneliud News Editor President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on cli- mate has fogged the earth with an unprecedented emis- sion of hyperbole. The withdrawal from a non-binding accord is going to save millions of jobs and trillions of dollars … or… it’s going to precipitate an extinction-level event. If hyperbole is a green- house gas, we’re screwed… Trump’s action is more stunt than substance, a high- profile way to throw some red meat to a base that fig- ures that if liberals and Europeans like an agree- ment it’s ipso facto bad for America. As historian Max Boot (neither a liberal nor a Europhile, by the way) notes, “President Obama pledged fairly aggressive action by the U.S., includ- ing significant reductions in emissions from power plants that run on fossil fuels. But it would be easy to undo his proposed cutbacks without leaving the Paris agreement. In fact Trump has already done that… “So why provoke a global firestorm of criticism? Why join Syria and Nicaragua as the only nations to renounce the Paris agreement? For Trump, the criticism is pre- cisely the point. It’s an easy way for him to signal to his base that he is implement- ing his campaign rheto- ric of ‘nationalism’ over ‘globalism.’” In other words, it has nothing really to do with the environment or the economy. And, Boot argues, the with- drawal is likely to further damage America’s stature. “If the U.S. pursues a ‘me first’ policy, then every country in the world will do the same — and the result will be international law- lessness,” Boot writes. “… Ultimately we are likely to be drawn into conflicts that could have been avoided had we maintained our position as Leader of the Free World, a hard-won achievement that Trump appears intent on frit- tering away with his char- acteristic recklessness and thoughtlessness.” On the other hand, many “climate activists” approach the subject with a kind of messianic fervor, raising the spectre of apocalyptic sce- narios worthy of the Book of Revelation and fetishiz- ing alternative energy as if it is holy, and wholly without negative impact or cost. A rational cost/benefit debate about climate and energy policy (which would require honesty both about the failures and successes of public investment in alterna- tives and about the degree to which we’ve subsidized fos- sil fuels for more than 100 years) would be a wonder- ful thing. Unfortunately, that does not seem possible in our disordered and dysfunc- tional political climate. Merely musing in these pages on the benefits of “red- teaming” climate science — testing assumptions and consensus in a public adver- sarial process — has drawn scorn from those who assure us that the debate is settled. Nevermind the potential that if the consensus in fact holds up under a red team assault it becomes stronger — and the public better informed and more capable of informed consent on policy enacted to address the brutally difficult and complicated social, cul- tural, political and economic challenges the future holds. Forbidding questions is the tactic of puritanical zeal- otry, not of science. Meanwhile, there are more than a few people in Sisters who are walking the walk without much talk — making rational, thoughtful choices about the way they live, not for ideological rea- sons but because they are seeking a better way, some- thing deeper out of life. National Review colum- nist Charles C.W. Cooke acknowledges that there is a serious discussion to engage in, posing the environmen- tal costs of our civilization against the material benefits reaped from the Industrial Revolution, a worthy debate to be had over what sac- rifices in liberty and what opportunities attend choices to modify our way of life, should we decide it is neces- sary to do so to protect the health of the planet. “People can disagree on the answers to these ques- tions in good faith. But it is harder and harder for them to do so amid the hyste- ria that grips this topic,” Cooke writes. “…It’s unsur- prising that people who have more nuanced views choose instead to go to the pub.” Well, that’s an option. And, luckily, Sisters has a fine array of watering holes to choose from, where you can enjoy your beer, wine and spirits — hold the chaser of hyperbolic gas. The Nugget Newspaper Crossword By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service — Last Week’s Puzzle Solved — This Week’s Crossword Sponsors Pain, Injuries & Sports? Sisters Acupuncture Center Let us help. G Greg reg W Wieland i ellannd L L.Ac. A c | 27 yrs. experience i 541-549-1523 | 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E When the going gets tough, even the tough call us. Buy More, Save More!* 25% OFF BLINDS! FREE Cordless Upgrade! PLUS buy 5 blinds GET AN EXTRA 5% OFF or buy 15 GET AN EXTRA 10% OFF 541-788-8444 • Free Consulting • Find us online at www.BudgetBlinds.com CCB Licensed #197715 | Bonded | Insured | 30+ Years Experience Offer valid through Budget Blinds of Deschutes County only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. *On Signature Series. Expires 6/30/17
