Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
E nvironmental Utopia
W hat Would L ife be L ike If the E nvironmentalists W ere in C harge?
An analysis done by CARE
Citizens Alliance for Responsible Energy
Marita Noon, Executive Director
John McCulloch, Research Assistant
www.responsiblenergy.org
505.239.8998
³We have a vision of rivers and streams running so clear and clean that you can bend a
knee to the water, cup your hands, and drink without fear.´This idyllic scene is the goal
SRVWHGRQRQHHQYLURQPHQWDOJURXS¶VZHEVLWH1 $QRWKHUGHILQHVWKHLUJRDODV³explore,
enjoy and protect wild places of the earth´2 <HWDQRWKHUVD\VWKH\ZDQWWR³protect all
wildlife and plants in their natural communities´3 Continuing WKH³SURWHFWLRQ´WKHPH
WZRRWKHUVVWDWHWKDWWKH\H[LVWIRUWKH³protection of the forests, rivers, deserts and
grasslands´4 ZKLOHWKHRWKHULV³to protect our water and air, our public lands, our rural
character, and our unique quality of life´5
These places sound ideal. Who doesQ¶WZDQWWROLYHLQDSODFHZLWKFOHDQZDWHU? Who
ZRXOGQ¶WZDQWWROLYHLQDnatural community with rural character and a unique quality of
life? In this utopia there would be wildlife and plants, forests, rivers, deserts and
grasslands. While the environmental grouSVGRQRWVWDWHWKLVLW¶VQHDUO\LPSOLHGWKDWthis
environmental utopia would have cherubic children frolicking in fields of daisies while
baby bunnies nibble on fresh green grass moistened by summer showers. Gentle breezes
woulGEORZDQGWKHVXQ¶VUD\VZRXOGJOLVWHQRIIWKHVSDUNOLQJVWUHDPDVLWJXUJOHVRYHU
granite stones. Puffy clouds in the shapes of flowers, hearts, and even Mickey Mouse
would float by.
Man craves a green earth, clean water, fresh air and a safe food supply. It would be great
if all the evils of the world suddenly vanished and, with the wave of a magic wand,
environmental groups¶ desires could be met?6 The world would be a prettier place, a
perfect paradise. Or does this sound too good to be true?
If so, WKDW¶VEHFDXVHLt is.
A deeper study of the aforementioned environmental groups²plus many others²reveals
their true goals. If these groups could have all their wishes granted, life in the U.S. would
need to revert back to, at the least, Colonial days. At the extreme end, these policies
would require a reversion even further back, to life in caves. With approximately 6 billion
people on the planet, assuming an average of IRXUSHRSOHSHUKRXVHKROGWKHUH¶V need to
be 1.5 billion caves²and those caves would all need to be near a fresh water source.
(This does not take into account the expected population growth that could reach 8 billion
by the time many energy mandates would be met.) With no plumbing or sewage
processing, that water would not be fresh for very long. The hillsides surrounding these
caves would be barren²stripped of wood for heating the cave in the cold months. The
FULWWHUV\RX¶GWKLQNOLYHGQHDUE\SURYLGLQJDIRRGVRXUFHZRXOGKDYHIOHGIRU³JUHHQHU
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Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
SDVWXUHV´,QMXVWDVKRUWWLPHSHRSOHZRXld be dirty, hungry, sick, and naked²not to
mention broke.
How does mankind get from paradise to pandemonium with one wave of the wand? Read
this carefully-documented, educational, and hopefully even entertaining ³(QYLURQPHQWDO
8WRSLD´analysis. This analysis is a bit extreme to make a point, but it does expose the
true goals of a variety of environmental groups. Like the layers of an onion, the elements
of American life that these groups would have us eliminate will slowly peel away if these
interests have their way. These are many of the same things that have made America
great²a country people are risking their lives for and a country people are risking their
lives to get into.
This analysis confirms several points: The energy that sustains, enriches and improves
lives is under attack. People are smart and, when supplied with a complete energy
picture, they will make wise choices. Generally, these environmental groups present only
one side of the picture while ignoring the very real impacts their policies would have.
Therefore, most people do not know the truth about the environmental groups or
understand the vital role energy plays in America.
Once the truth is readily accessible, people will make more informed decisions regarding
politicians for whom they vote, the groups to whom they donate, and the choices they
make in their personal lives. The irresponsible choices of some are creating hardships for
many good people.
In this analysis, we look at the four main areas of modern life that would be most
impacted should some of the environmental policies be implemented: transportation,
modern conveniences, health and housing.
For easy review, a chart is provided (at the end of the narrative) with the websites of the
researched groups, the goals stated on the front page (or in general text) and the more
specific targets with the internet address of each noted item.
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Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
T ransportation
With gas prices high and talk of global warming rampant, gasoline, cars, and
transportation in general seem to be at the forefront of the energy debate. Numerous
groups²including the National Resource Defense Council, the Sierra Club, and the
Center for Biological Diversity²are actively working to prevent drilling for oil and gas
andZKDW¶VPRUH to expand moratoriums on drilling.7 Earth First is even opposed to
ethanol.8
If these groups were to succeed, cars as we know them would no longer be usable as
gasoline supplies would quickly dry up²much like the scenario of a natural disaster
shutting down a refinery (only on a much larger scale). Most travel would be restricted to
public transportation which could be subject to limited fuel supplies. This might work for
those who live in town and go to conventional places at normal times. But for those who
live in rural areas, travel would be prohibitive. These people would be unable to get to
work, the grocery or out for recreation purposes. Vacation travel would also be nearly
completely eliminated. A family could no longer hitch up the pop-up and travel a few
hours away for a weekend in the woods. And, of course, airplanes would have to be sent
WRPXVHXPV/LNHWKHGLQRVDXUWKH\¶GEHUHOLFVIURPDQRWKHUHUDDVQRDLUSODQHcould fly
on the emerging environmentalist-approved alternative fuels ± specifically, wind, solar or
bio fuel.
At first glance, one may WKLQN³1Rworry:H¶OOKDYHWRFRQYHUWWRHOHFWULFFDUV. This
move is long overdue anyway´ This, too, is problematic as 19RI$PHULFD¶VHOHFWULFity
is generated through the use of natural gas and 3% comes from oil9 ²these two fuel
sources however, with the wave of this magic wand, would no longer be abundant.
Another 50% of electricity comes from coal.10 While coal is a cost-effective and
abundant energy source, for environmentalists, it is a big problem. First, it is one of the
largest producers of CO2. So any group whose concerns involve global warming will be
automatically opposed to coal-fired power plants. Many are aiming to prevent any new
coal-fired plants from being built while others rejoice in shutting existing plants down.
There is no cost effective way to sequester the CO2 in the emissions, so all those plants
would need to be shut down. Environmental groups also oppose coal liquefaction,11
ZKLFKPHDQVWKDWHYHQWKRXJK$PHULFD¶VFRDOUHVHUYHVULYDO6DXGL$UDELD¶VRLOUHVHUYHV
the country cannot count on coal for liquid fuels either.
This will be addressed more completely in the next section. For now, suffice to say that
were the U.S. able to continue, for example, the generation of electricity through wind or
solar, the amount of electricity available from those limited resources would need to be
reserved for vital services and potentially public transportation. Certainly the limited
supply of electricity could not be used to fuel an electric car for rounds of errands,
hauling kids to practice, or trips to the mall as is the habit of many Americans.
This begs a question: What happens to transportation? Remember, one of the groups
wantHGWKDW³UXUDOFKDUDFWHU"´<RX get it. Like days gone by, perhaps they are suggesting
horse-drawn carriages. That would surely live up to the ideal of D³XQLTXHTXDOLW\RIOLIH´
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Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
From the beginning of cities (ZKLFKZH¶GDOOQHHGWROLYHLQWREHFORVHWR everything),
until the automobile became the primar\PRGHRIWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLQ¶V, horses were
the conventional mode of getting around. That sounds environmentally friendly. But
upon closer inspection it is revealed that horse-drawn transportation is anything but. At
the turn of the century, the piles of horse manure were a huge pollutant in $PHULFD¶V
cities. Not only was the stench foul, but the piles shoveled onto every street corner
attracted flies and rodents, and ultimately, disease. San Francisco has a rule on the books
that bans piling horse manure more than six feet high at street corners.12 The resulting
filth in the streets is the origin of the custom of WKHJHQWOHPDQZDONLQJRQWKH³VWUHHWVLGH´RIWKHVLGHZDONZKHQHVFRUWLQJDODG\
Not only is the byproduct of the use of draft animals for transportation a problem, they
created additional waste. A big city had to clear 10,000 to 15,000 horse carcasses from
the streets every year13²and this is with only about 100 million14 people in America.
Imagine how much worse this would be with the approximate current population of 300
million people!
/LNHWRGD\¶VYHKLFOHVWKHKRUVHVDOVRQHHGIXHO:KLOHWKH\GRQRWUXQRQJDVROLQHRU
electricity, they do need hay and oats. In 1920, when the horse was the way to travel, one
quarter of American farm land was planted with fuel for the horse-based fleet. One horse
requires nearly five acres of land a year for its personal fuel supply15²as much as is
needed for eight people.16 With approximately 300 million17 people in America, even if
we had only one horse per four-SHUVRQKRXVHKROGZH¶GQHHG million horses and 357
million acres of farm land²more than twice the size of Texas.18 Most of our farm land
would be consumed by fueling draft animals. Assuming they had not succumbed to the
HQYLURQPHQWDOOXUHZH¶GQHHGWRLPSRUWIRRGIURPRWKHUFRXQWULHV²if we could get it
from farm to table before it rotted. Exacerbating the problem in America, very few
households have only one car and many households have only one or two people. Horse
and buggy are hardly a suitable solution.
Clearly, waving a magic wand and giving environmental extremists all their wishes will
greatly alter the way Americans move around. One of the basics of the American way of
life is the freedom to come and go and cars are a central part of that right. Take away cars
and freedom is necessarily impacted. When surveyed, 91% percent of Americans
responded that they view their cars as a necessity, not a luxury.19 The car is a symbol of
American personal freedom and one the vast majority would not want to live without.
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Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
Modern Conveniences
As dHWHUPLQHGLQWKH³7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ´VHFWLRQZDYLQJDPDJLFZDQGWRJLYHWKH
environmental groups everything they want would not create the perfect world one might
imagine at first glance. The lack of oil and gas would eliminate transportation as we
know it. Add to that, the opposition to coal and nuclear and there would be virtually no
electricity.
Of course, with a greatly reduced capacity for electricity and transportation, the American
lifestyle ceases to exist. There are several other items that would be eliminated with the
aforementioned energy sources removed from everyday life.
A recent Pew Research Center study20 determined that most Americans believe that the
following items are necessities, not luxuries:
Car
Clothes washer
Clothes dryer
Home air conditioning
Microwave
Television
Car air conditioning
Home computer
Cell phone21
Each of these necessary items has one thing in common: energy. They each require either
a liquid fuel (such as gasoline), or electricity, generated from either oil, natural gas or
coal. Other sources for electricity do exist. Some of the most common²and
environmentally acceptable²include hydropower, wind and solar. Currently hydropower
accounts for approximately 6.5% 22 of America¶VHQHUJ\VXSSO\ZLQG0.4% 23and solar
0.1%.24 Ideally these numbers will increase, but even the American Wind Energy
Association can only hope that wind will increase up to 20%25 of all electricity supply²
an optimistic goal considering that recent figures show it only supplying less than 1%.
7KH\GRQRWH[SHFWZLQGWRHYHUEHD³EDVHORDG´energy source²which means that it will
never be the sole source for electricity and that it needs a primary supply to the energy
grid to which wind can be a supplement. Wind will be used as a part of a bigger energy
portfolio.
To continue life with any of the qualities that we currently enjoy, electricity is a
necessity. What can be done to make up the gap between the need and the relative
shortcomings of the above renewables? Many might think nuclear. It is getting positive
nods as it is the cleanest, least CO2 producing, way to generate large amounts of
electricity. However, in waving the magic wand, nuclear is out. None of the twenty-five
environmental groups studied are ³for´ nuclear power and several are downright against
it²ZLWKWKH1XFOHDU,QIRUPDWLRQDQG5HVRXUFH6HUYLFH¶VHQWLUHJRDOWRFUHDWHDQXFOHDU
free planet.26
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Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
%XWOHW¶VDVVXPHIRU a moment that hydro, wind, and solar can create enough electricity
for America to continue to have electric power. (This is truly wishful thinking as some
environmental groups are making it difficult to generate electricity by trying to block or
shutdown wind and hydro.27) To meet *UHHQSHDFH¶V JRDOVIRUZLQGDQGVRODU¶V
generation of electricity, wH¶GKDYHWREHLQVWDOOLQJZLQG turbines at the rate of more than
20 per hour (and we are already dealing with an increase in the price of steel and a wind
turbine shortage28) and have PV cells covering the entire state of Virginia.29
There are other, less obvious, problems once we have removed hydrocarbons from life.
Every RQHRIWKHDERYHPHQWLRQHG³QHFHVVLWLHV´UHTXLUHVSHWUROHXP²and not for
electricity as commonly thought. They all contain plastics. The casings on computers and
many of the inner workings are made from plastics. So are cell phones.
A currently running²and clever²advertisement for the chemical industry, shows many
RIWKHVH³QHFHVVLWLHV´GLVDSSHDULng from life without plastics. The ad concludes that
³FKemistry´ is needed. This is true. But these plastics come from a feedstock (source) of
hydrocarbons²coal, oil or natural gas.30 New research is being done to generate plastics
from plant-based feedstock. Design News Magazine GHFODUHVWKDW³&RUQLVWKHQHZ
IHHGVWRFNRIFKRLFHIRUSODVWLFVDLPHGDWHQJLQHHULQJDSSOLFDWLRQV´31 So, now not only
are ethanol and food products competing for the ever-more-expensive corn, the crop is
now going to have to stretch to provide feedstock for plastics.
$VDFRXQWU\$PHULFDLVDOUHDG\VWUDSSHGIRUSODVWLFV7KHLFRQLF³SLQNIODPLQJR´GLHG
just short of its fiftieth birthday as result of higher prices for plastic resins.32 Other
manufacturing is going overseas where the feedstock costs are lower.
So, without petroleum, many of the things we take for granted²even consider necessities
²will be gone. Here is just a partial list of the modern conveniences most people (72%33)
do not realize are made from petrochemicals: baby strollers, balloons, cameras, clothing,
crayons, credit cards, DVDs and CDs, rain gear, furniture, luggage, pantyhose, toys and
umbrellas.
To move electric power from power plants to homes and businesses requires transmission
towers and wires. Copper is the wire on which electricity travels most efficiently. Groups
such as the Gifford Pinchot Task Force and Save the Scenic Santa Ritas are aiming to
shut down or prevent mining in any form, and most specifically copper.34 As a result,
even though there could theoretically be electricity without petroleum and even though
WKHUHFRXOGWKHRUHWLFDOO\EHSODVWLFVZLWKRXWSHWURFKHPLFDOVZH¶GQRWEHDEOHWRDFFHVV
the electricity without metals.
This is getting bleak. While there may still be some public transportation, horses are the
main means of personal transportation²using up huge amounts of land²and waste
matter is polluting cities. Without plastics or abundant electricity, most current
necessities have ceased to exist. But, at least we havHRXUKHDOWK«
6
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
H ealth
,IWKH2JODOD6LRX[,QGLDQ&KLHI)O\LQJ+DZNZDVFRUUHFWZKHQKHVDLG³1RERG\FDQEH
in good health if he does not have all the time IUHVKDLUVXQVKLQHDQGJRRGZDWHU´35 this
environmental utopia would be a healthy place. If only ³IUHVKDLUVXQVKLQHDQGJRRG
ZDWHU´ZDVDOOWKDWZDVUHTXLUHGIRUJRRGKHDOWK1RWWKDWWKHVHTXDOLWLHVRIOLIHare not
essential, but in our complicated world, much more is involved in health. Of course in
times of Chief FlyinJ+DZN¶VELUWKEHIRUHWKHLQGXVWULDOUHYROXWLRQWKHDYHUDJHOLIH
expectancy was about 35 years²and fresh air, sunshine and good water were about all
one had for medicine.
Now, the average life expectancy is double what it was before the industrial revolution
and medicine means so much more than the bottle of alcohol-filled elixir the traveling
salesman sold in the Old West. Without abundant energy, medicine would revert back to
the days of the independent physician. The only way to contact the doctor might be to
notify him of a need by rider on horseback. The doctor would then ride to the location as
quickly as possible²which was often too late. His tools were manual and the medicines
primitive.
Modern medicine is dependent on energy. X-rays, MRIs, and radiation treatments are not
possible without electricity. Even something as simple as a blood pressure or temperature
check is typically done today with electronic equipment. Not to mention the lights in the
hospital that allow emergency surgery to be done at any time of the day or night, and the
heating and cooling systems that aid in keeping the patient comfortable. Without energy,
none of this would be possible. But take this a step further and there are no ambulances to
take the injured to the hospital and certainly no life-flights. Helicopters are not a part of
this environmental utopia.
If a person had a heart attack, for example, and was able to get to the hospital via horse
and buggy, he or she would not be offered the life-giving capabilities of a pacemaker or
an artificial heart. Each of these modern inventions is not possible without plastic²and
plastic is made primarily from hydrocarbons.36
Without plastics, the changes that would take place in the fields of health and medicine
are myriad. In the hospital, plastic is present in the form of sterilization trays and
advanced housings materials, to endoscopic surgical instruments and blood filters²and
nearly everything in between. Most products synonymous with emergency medicine
could not be produced without plastic: IV bags, syringes, and portable, lightweight
equipment like cardiac monitors are just a handful of examples. Prosthetic devices have
revolutionized the medical field; plastics have given everyday people in need of
prosthetic devices increased mobility and artificial limbs with an astonishingly lifelike
appearance.37 Disposable plastic products have dramatically reduced infection rates and
the spread of disease. Plastic packaging and containers help keep medicine and
instruments sterile DQGVHFXUHDW\RXUGRFWRU¶VRIILFH$WKRPHSODVWLFFKLOG-proof caps
prevent accidental deaths and our plastic eyeglasses help improve our vision. Every day,
modern medicine depends on plastic.
7
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
Then there is the equipment that adds to health and comfort²much of which uses both
electricity and hydrocarbon-based plastics. Look at the treadmill or stair-stepper used at
the gym or at home. They require electricity to work and they are fitted with plastics for
comfort. The gym shoes and clothes you wear while using the equipment at the health
club are probably DOOSHWUROHXPEDVHG$WWKHGRFWRU¶VRIILFHWKLQNDERXWZKDWLVXQGHU
that paper they pull over the exam table²a vinyl covered, foam cushion. Plastic is at
ZRUNLQRXUKHDOWKDQGFRPIRUWLQZD\VZH¶GRYerlook unless they were absent²as
WKH\¶Gmost certainly be in an environmental utopia.
While medicine is important, plastics play a big role in overall health. From the
manufacturer to the grocer to dinner tables, airtight plastic packaging helps keep foods
fresh and free from contamination.38 Without plastics, food supplies would be
jeopardized.
Without modern transportation, food availability would change drastically, impacting
heath. Some environmental groups suggest that food not be transported at all and that
people buy from local farmers¶ markets only.39 Fresh fruits and vegetables would,
therefore, not be available at all times of the year²and certainly not the vast selection
found in local grocery stores in refrigerated cases.
Without electricity to run the refrigerators, the only edible food would come directly from
the garden²or shot or captured²today, or what was canned during the last harvest.
There is also the problem of how much harder and less productive the growing and
harvesting process would be without the modern, gas-powered machines.
:LWKRXWHQHUJ\³UXUDOFKDUDFWHU´would almost certainly be the case, but is this a
desirable way to live?
8
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
Housing
After systematically peeling away many elements of life today, what¶VOHIW" Perhaps there
would not be electricity nor all the benefits it provides daily (including 44.4% of a
EXLOGLQJ¶VHOHFWULFLW\IRUFOLPDWHFRQWURO²heating or cooling a space, 12.9% for water
heating, and 10.8% for lighting40), perhaps long trips would become less desirable
because horse and buggy travel is tiresome, or perhaps life expectancy would be shorter
without the benefits of modern medicine. But homes, shelter from the elements, would
still be prevalent to protect from the elements and offer safe harbor safe from wildlife
attacks. This turns out to be false.
,W¶VWHPSWLQJWRWKLQN³:HOO,KDYHDKRXVHQRZHousing is not a problem for me.´$QG
those with homes may still have them in this environmental utopia. But in our greatly
UHGXFHGHQHUJ\ZRUOG\RXFRXOGQ¶WPRZ\RXUODZQ with your powered mower²in fact;
\RXZRXOGQ¶WHYHQEHDEOHWRZDWHULW<RXUFXUUHQWKRPHZRXOGquickly begin to look
shabby and run down. Without electricity available for water processing and pumping,
you soon need to leave your home to be closer to a water source²which eliminates the
idea of living in most cities.
Our environmental utopia will create big changes in new KRXVLQJ/HW¶VVWDUWZLWKWKH
obvious: wood. 94% of houses in the U.S. are built of structural lumber.41 But in this new
world, wood would not be available as numerous environmental groups oppose logging.42
Many groups²including Forest Guardians and Western Watersheds Projects²are
opposed to harvesting trees of any size, therefore making sustainable forest management
difficult, if not impossible to accomplish. This then creates insect and disease problems.
Forests choked with too many trees lead to fires like the Cerro Grande, Lake Tahoe fires,
anG6RXWKHUQ&DOLIRUQLD¶VODWHILUHV²which then create a different set of problems.
Under a limited fuel supply scenario, catastrophic fires would be the norm and they
would be larger and more intense since mechanical equipment could not be used to
suppress them.43 These major fires are a major producer of greenhouse gases with an
estimated 4.8 metric tons of CO2 for every acre of coniferous forest consumed.44
In some parts of the country, homes are frequently made from cinder blocks. Besides the
fact that energy is required to make cinder blocks, cinder blocks are made from cement²
and cement (made from limestone) and its components are under attack by groups such as
Earth Justice.45 This could even mean that a home built from rocks would not be held
together with cement.
With current housing left behind in suburbia, what is there left to live? To again quote
Chief Flying Hawk³7KHWHSHHLVPXFKEHWWHUWROLYHLQDOZD\VFOHDQZDUPLQZLQWHU
FRROLQVXPPHUHDV\WRPRYH«´46 While the tepee was an efficient mode of housing for
the nomadic life of the Plains Indians, imagine Al Gore fitting 10 thousand square feet of
stuff into a tepee?47
Incidentally, many of the home and personal amenities popular today such as carpet and
clothing are made from petroleum.48 Where would clothing come from? Without
electricity, the convenience of ready-made fabric, let alone clothes, would cease to exist.
9
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
One of the greatest changes would be to the water supply. Without electricity for
pumping, processing and purifying, and without plastics or copper for piping, the ease of
clean water disappears. But water is a necessity for health and cleaning purposes. So
living near a stream, pond or lake would become the norm. However, lakes, rivers,
springs, ponds, or streams are frequently contaminated with feces from animals resulting
in giardiasis²a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite.49 The US
Government recommends that backpackers, hikers, and campers not drink unfiltered or
untreated water; water that has not been boiled, filtered, or disinfected with chemicals.
For the sake of optimism, suppose a cave exists near a freshwater source that is not
contaminated with giardia. Maybe this cave is in an Eden-like setting and the area is
teeming with fresh food sources and abundant trees for fire wood, useful for cooking
IRRGDQGIRUZDUPWK%XWZDLW« In this utopia, those trees are protected. But OHW¶VDVVXPH
this cave is in a warm locale so the need for heat is mitigated. (A good thing considering
access to fire trucks or borate bombers has disappeared.) The true essentials are here:
food²albeit raw²and water. Like the wildlife leaving feces in the water, you will need
to do something with your personal waste matter. If you were simply camping in the
PRXQWDLQVIRUWKHZHHNHQG\RXFRXOGGLJDKROHZKLFK\RX¶GFRYHUXSEHIRUHOHDYLQJWKH
site. However, with the wave of our magic wand, we gave the environmental groups what
they want²and this is now your life. With 300 million people in America looking for
caves near a fresh water source, the chances of you being alone in those woods is slim at
best. There will probably be more people in the area producing waste matter than the
ground can absorb. Without plumbing and electricity, there is no sewage processing.
:DVWHPDWWHUZLOOQRWEHFRQYHUWHGLQWR³QRQ-SRWDEOH´ZDWHUWKDWFDQEHXVHGWRZDWHUWKH
plants along the freeway. (Of course, freeways are a thing of the past.)
In short, in this utopia, people would be spending a vast majority of their time just
fighting to survive. Contemporary modern life would disappear. A giant worldwide
recession would occur.
This panacea is rapidly looking like the environmental groups have been promoting
inaccurate propaganda.
10
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
Conclusion
The scenario presented here may seem extreme, but the full impact of what would happen
if environmentalist groups were allowed their version of the world is bleaker still.
Other things to consider that would be radically affected by environmental policies
include:
Regarding wind power, mining ore to make turbines and the actual manufacture
of the equipment requires energy.
If corn is WKH³IHHGVWRFNRIFKRLFH,´ agricultural and wildlife habitat acreage will
be needed to produce that corn. Water, fuel, insecticides and fertilizer will also be
needed to grow and transport. Energy is also needed to convert sugars to fuel.
Speaking of corn, there is also the byproduct ethanol. This topic is broad, and
requires analysis of its own. (Much additional commentary on ethanol can be
IRXQGRQ&$5(¶V%ORJ
Since people would most likely revolt before the living-in-caves stage, if it ever
came to that, the most affected by the change in habitat would be the poor, elderly
and minority families.
Clean air, fresh water and a safe food supply are desired by all. However, stopping,
opposing, denying, and blocking are not efficient ways to achieve these ends. Huge
strides have been made since the dawn of the industrial revolution. In spite of increases in
pollution producing amenities, America is cleaner now than it was twenty years ago.
Since 1970 population has increased 42% and energy consumption has increased 48%.
The number of miles driven each year is up 178%. At the same time, American ingenuity
has been at work generating a 195% increase in the GNP. With these figures, it would
only be logical that pollution has increased as well. However, the truth is, despite the
growth, aggregate emissions are approximately half of what they were.50 The air is in fact
clearer. Streams are much cleaner and are teeming with fish.51
Yes, there do need to be regulations as every population has ³EDGDFWRUV´<HVthere
needs to be an awareness of the damage certain activities create. There also needs to be
compromise to protect good people from irresponsible choices. Alternatives that merely
sound better may not be the best option. Extreme environmentalism has just as many
down sides as the progress-at-any-cost-extreme. No one wants drilling in their
neighborhood, but everyone wants cheap gas. The ability to turn on the lights at will, use
of computers and iPods, climate control, etc. is desirable in the modern world. But
environmentalists refuse to erect a power plant that obstructs high-priced ocean views or
drops property values. Environmental groups are even fighting the installation of wind
IDUPVFKDUJLQJWKDWJUHHG\FRPSDQLHVDUH³VHHNLQJVLWHVZLWKWKHPRVWZLQG«´52 In
New Mexico, for example, Santa Fe residents have organized and successfully put a
moratorium on oil and gas exploration,53 despite the fact that these resources provide
approximately 50% of the state¶s revenues²and New Mexico is one of the poorest states.
There is no free lunch, as the old saying goes. The desirable energy uses must be
accompanied by undesirable elements.
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Instead of signing that petition to stop plans for a new power plant, or a new refinery, or
to stop logging here or mining there, think of the bigger implications. The modern world
LVQRWSHUIHFWEXWLVSUHIHUDEOHWRWKH³HQYLURQPHQWDOXWRSLD´laid out in the plans on the
modern environmentalist movement.
'R\RXSUHIHUWKH³QHFHVVLWLHV´RIOLIH"'R\RXOLNH\RXUFDU\RXUPLFURZDYH\RXU
health and your house? If you like the American way of life, GRQ¶Wlet the environmental
groups take away energy. Most of them have unattainable goals or goals that do not
factor into the complete picture. They fight to stop a perceived evil, without looking at
what else will be impacted. Which portions of your lifestyle²RU\RXFKLOGUHQ¶VRU
JUDQGFKLOGUHQ¶VOLIHVW\OH²do you want to give up in the name of saving the world from
this or that speculative environmental cataclysm?
A dismal energy bill has just been passed in Washington. 'RQ¶WOHWWKHVTXHDNLQJZKHHOV
of the environmental groups continue to dictate policy. 7KH\¶OOUHgulate us back to the
stone-age. )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQRQ³UHVSRQVLEOHHQHUJ\´SOHDVHYLVLWWKH&$5(ZHEVLWH
at www.responsiblenergy.org.) We the people, we the consumers have the power.
Additionally, consumers can demand efficiency. Consumer demand is what has hurt the
American auto industry and catapulted the imports to the top sellers. Now Detroit is
desperately trying to catch up. It is like a current ad for Hyundai VD\V³,WLVQRWWKDW
FRPSOLFDWHG,IJDVFRVWVDORWRIPRQH\OHW¶VEXLOGFDUVWKDWXVHDVOLWWOHRILWDV
possiEOH´7KLVLVFDOOHGPDUNHW demand. It is us voting with our dollars.
Have your eyes been opened now that you see the complete energy picture? Spread the
word. Tell your friends and family. Look around. Energy is everywhere. Energy makes
America great!
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E nvironmental Utopia
An analysis done by CARE: Citizens Alliance for Responsible Energy
PO Box 52103, Albuquerque, NM 87181-2103
www.responsiblenergy.org
Stated Goals
C aribou C lean W ater Partnership (Idaho & W yoming)
Clean up existing mines, Demonstrate it is possible to mine
phosphate without releasing Selenium and other pollutants into our
land and water
C enter for Biological Diversity
Place Polar Bears, Yellow Billed Loons, Cook Inlet Beluga
Whales, Delta Smelt on the Endangered Species List
Save the Condor
Make Tejon Ranch a National or State park
Designate Fossil Creek (AZ) as a wild and scenic river
Prevent a hydroelectric dam from being constructed in Panama
C lar k For k Coalition (M ontana)
Protect the clean water and river life that is here; restore what
should be here and is not.
Coaltion for O tero M esa (New M exico)
Prevent drilling in the Otero Mesa Wilderness
Coalition for the V alle V idal (New M exico)
Prevent CBM mining in the Valle Vidal
Defenders of W ildlife
Protect all wildlife and plants in their natural communities
A ctual E nergy/M ining Related Projects
Prevent new phosphate mine permits
http://www.cariboucleanwater.org/streamline/
Close Chukchi Sea and Cook Inlet to drilling
Deny state freshwater access in the San Francisco Bay Delta
Deny Tejon Ranch Company, the lawful owners of the land the ability to develop the land
Prevent operation of power plants on Fossil Creek
Prevent a hydroelectric dam from being constructed in Panama
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/panama_rainforest
Aided in the removal of two power plants on Fossil Creek
http://www.endangeredearth.org/alerts/result.asp?index=462
Stop or re-route mines, pipelines and other riverside growth. Helped outlaw cyanide heap
mining. Prevent Rock Creek Mine from opening
http://www.clarkfork.org/about/timeline.html
Opposes creation of Blackfoot Goldmine (which would be the 10 th largest gold mine in the
world)
http://www.clarkfork.org/programs/blackfoot.html
Prevent drilling in the Otero Mesa Wilderness
http://www.oteromesa.org/who.htm
Successfully barred oil and gas companies from the valley
Ban off shore drilling in Alaska Virginia and Florida
https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage
&page=UserAction&id=713&s_einterest=C3C4
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Not permit drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.savearcticrefuge.org/
E arth F irst!
No Compromise in the Defense of Mother Earth
E arth Justice
Earth Justice attorneys, representing citizen groups, scientists, and
others, go to court to see that the laws are obeyed and enforced.
The Earth Justice Policy and Legislation team works to protect and
strengthen federal environmental laws, and to defend vital places
E arthwor ks
The quality of life in the new West is tied to clean water, clear
skies, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. A new
mining law is needed that recognizes these values yet also allows
for responsible mining to occur when mining is supported by the
surrounding community and it is clear that mining is the most
suitable use of an area.
No new coal power plants
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=275
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/events.php?id=70
Opposes coal liquefaction
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/events.php?id=71
End all surface mining of coal
http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/index.php
Opposes logging
http://www.earthfirst.org/treesits.htm
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=227
Opposes building La Parota dam
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=302
Opposes building interstates
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=304
Opposes ethanol
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=305
Impose tougher environmental restrictions on cement manufacturers
http://www.earthjustice.org/our_work/campaigns/cement-kilns.html
Block permits of coal fired plants
http://www.earthjustice.org/our_work/cases/2007/page.jsp?itemID=30390639
Prevent logging of old growth trees in the Sierra Nevada
http://www.earthjustice.org/our_work/campaigns/sierra_nevada.html
Hold 60 million acres of public land road less
http://www.earthjustice.org/our_work/campaigns/roadless_rule.html
The public has been clear regarding their views of public lands. They want them protected and
kept in public hands to be used by future generations. It is time to bring the law that governs
mining on our public lands in the United States into the 21st century.
http://www.earthworksaction.org/TheWayForward.cfm
Reform national mining laws
http://www.earthworksaction.org/1872.cfm
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Opposes creation of the following mines:
Berners Bay AK (gold mine)
Apache Leap AZ (copper)
Pinto Creek AZ (copper)
Santa Ritas AZ (copper)
Uncompahgre CO (gold)
Boise River ID (gold)
Cabinet Mtns MT (silver/copper)
Mt Tenabo NV (gold)
Siskiyou OR
Source: http://www.earthworksaction.org/SpecialPlaces.cfm
T he E nvironmental Defense C enter (C alifornia)
The Environmental Defense Center protects and enhances the local
environment through education, advocacy, and legal action.
http://www.edcnet.org/about.html
Forest G uardian (A merican Southwest)
Our goals are to protect and restore the native biological diversity
and watersheds of the American Southwest; educate and enlist
citizens to support protection of the forests, rivers, deserts and
grasslands of this arid region; advocate for the principles of
conservation biology in plans to restore degraded ecosystems and
watersheds; enforce and strengthen environmental laws; support
communities in efforts to protect their land and to practice and
promote sustainable use of natural resources.
T he G ifford Pinchot T ask Force (W ashington)
The Gifford Pinchot Task Force seeks to preserve and restore the
ecosystems and communities of southwestern Washington by
Blocked a deep sea LNG terminal at Cabrillo port
http://www.edcnet.org/
Opposed Diablo Canyon Power Plant
Stopped expansion of Petrochem Oil Refinery
Championed stricter off shore oil and gas policies in Santa Barbara
Assisted in creation and passing of legislation permanently banning oil and gas leasing in state
waters
Drafted Measure A96 requiring voter approval for any new oil and gas facilities in Santa
Barbara County
Source: http://www.edcnet.org/ProgramsPages/accomplishments.pdf
Prevent logging in Carson National Forest
http://www.fguardians.org/sf/issue_carson-national-forest.asp June12
Prevent logging in all roadless areas in Arizona and New Mexico via the Clean Water Act
http://www.fguardians.org/sf/issue_clean-water-wild-forests.asp
2SSRVHVPRXQW6W+HOHQ¶VFRSSHUPLQH
http://www.gptaskforce.org/article.php?id=192
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promoting conservation of forest ecosystems and sustainable
restoration-based employment
http://www.gptaskforce.org/article.php?id=1
G reenpeace
:KDWZHGR7KH,VVXHVZH¶UHZRUNLQJRQ
Forests: Protect forests and the life they support.
Oceans: Fight to restore health to our oceans.
Global Warming: A clean energy revolution is sweeping across the
country we have the tools to put earth back in balance and we can
do it today.
Toxics: Toxic chemicals in our environment threaten our rivers
and lakes, our air, land, and oceans, and ultimately ourselves and
our future.
Nuclear: Halt the expansion of all nuclear power, and shutdown
existing plants.
Genetic Engineering: Few things are more important to your life
than what you eat. But a handful of companies are tampering with
mother nature, and you may be paying the consequences. The
biodiversity and integrity of the world's food supply is too
important to our survival to be put at risk.
National Resource Defense Council
Curb Global Warming, Move America Beyond Oil, Accelerate the
Greening of China, Revive the Worlds Oceans, Save Endangered
Wild Places and Stem the Tide of Toxic Chemicals
Phase out PVC
http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start/127/
Against coal to liquid technology
http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start/150/
Cut industrial nations emissions by 80%
Reduce carbon emissions to 1.3 tons per person per annum
1.3 tons are equivalent to 1 roundtrip plane flight (1500 miles each way) or driving an SUV
2000 miles
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/how-to-save-the-climatepers.pdf (page 3-7)
Reduce carbon emissions to 1.3 tons per person per annum
1.3 tons are equivalent to 1 roundtrip plane flight (1500 miles each way) or driving an SUV
2000 miles
Reduce electricity consumption through efficiency by 3% world wide by 2050,
Page 8
Phase out coal power plants (page 17),
Phase out oil
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/ruptured-oil-tanker-sinks-off
phase out nuclear power
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns
Ban Drilling in Artic National Wildlife Refuge, Montana Rocky Mountain Front, Utah
Redrock, Otero Mesa, Jack Morrow Hills, expand off shore drilling restrictions.
Require all vehicles to have 55 mpg by 2025
Prevent Development of Emerald Bay Florida
http://www.savebiogems.org/emeraldcoast/
3UHYHQW7DUVDQGPLQLQJLQ&DQDGD¶V%RUHDO)RUHVW
http://www.nrdc.org/media/docs/060607a.pdf
Blocked Limestone Mining in Florida
http://www.nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/060322.asp
National W ildlife F ederation
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,QVSLULQJ$PHULFDQVWRSURWHFWZLOGOLIHIRURXUFKLOGUHQ¶VIXWXUH
Nuclear Information and Resource Service
Create a nuclear free planet.
O il and G as A ccountability Project
OGAP is the only organization in the United States with the sole
mission of working with tribal, urban and rural communities to
protect their homes and the environment from the devastating
impacts of oil and gas development.
Reduce U.S. global warming pollution 2% per year, or 20% per decade, and on the order of
80% by the middle of this century. Encourage innovation and discourage facilities from being
built that lock us into many years using old, inefficient technology.
Source: National Policy Solution PDF found at
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Global_Warming_Cosponsors
End production of nuclear power, cut subsidies to nuclear power companies
http://www.nirs.org/about/nirs.htm
OGAP has prepared a set of model regulations to provide county governments in New Mexico
with a framework for enacting new or more stringent oil and gas regulations. We expect that
these regulations will be periodically updated, as new information becomes available.
(A sample of the regulations includes:)
County can deny permit based on any past performance anywhere in the world.
Require lengthy plans including environmental and socio economic impacts. Including county
or city expansion of services including roads, water, sewage, housing, landfills, schools,
recreation and local business
Environmental plans must include location of all physical structures, pipelines, flowlines and
roads. Must show location of all farming and livestock activity in the vicinity. Must show
location of ANY kind of water bodies (including arroyos and draws). Wildlife habitat and
migration routes geologic features also must be included
Location of all subsurface water or aquifers the depths of the water tables and state to quality of
groundwater.
Must post financial guarantees of a minimum $20,000/well and $10,000/exploration permit.
Area containing producing equipment can be no larger than 100 feet by 150 feet
A 40 dB noise standard. (this is quieter than the average home)
All pumping mechanisms must be electrically driven
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Locate all facilities at the base of slopes to provide a backgournd of topography and natural
color.
Equipment must be a uniform non-contrasting, nor-glare, non-chalking, non-reflective color
tone and in a color to match the landscape and not the sky.
Roads must be surfaced with a minimum of 3 inches of gravel
http://www.earthworksaction.org/pubs/Preserving%20our%20public%20lands.pdf
Sier ra C lub
Explore, enjoy and protect wild place of the earth
3UDFWLFHDQGSURPRWHWKHUHVSRQVLEOHXVHRIWKHHDUWK¶VHFRV\VWHPV
and resources
Educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of
the natural and human environment
Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives
T heodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is a coalition of
leading hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, labor
unions and individual grassroots partners working together to
preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing by a.) expanding
access to places to hunt and fish, b.) conserving fish and wildlife
and the habitats necessary to sustain them, and c.) increasing
funding for conservation and management.
http://www.trcp.org/insidethetrcp.aspx
Kill Nunez bill which would open portions of CA to logging
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlegacy/sequoia/
Block action to sell National Forest Land
http://www.sierraclub.org/forests/notforsale/
Expand moratoriums of offshore drilling in Virginia and Florida
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/coasts/
³7DNHDFWLRQWRSURWHFWHQYLURQPHQWIURPFRPPHUFLDOFOHDQHUV
http://www.sierraclub.org/healthycommunities/toxics/
Blocked building of Legacy Highway in Utah
http://www.sierraclub.org/environmentallaw/lawsuits/0163.asp
In order to ensure that energy development is balanced with the interests of sportsmen and
needs of fish and wildlife, federal agencies must to do proper analysis and conservation
planning for elk, pronghorn, mule deer and greater sage grouse before offering parcels of land
for energy development.
IW¶VWLPHWRVWDUWSODQQLQJKRZZHZLOOGHYHORSHQHUJ\UHVRXUFHVUHVSRQVLEO\DQGFRQVHUYH
VSRUWVPHQ¶VRSSRUWXQLWLHVbefore we lease our public lands in contractually binding agreements.
The TRCP is actively involved in a federal process to prevent the sale of leases located in
critical big game, sage grouse and fisheries habitat until the BLM can offer a plan for
responsible energy development.
The TRCP has successfully persuaded the BLM to temporarily withdraw lease parcels in
Montana, Utah and Wyoming because of sensitive fish and wildlife issues that require further
evaluation.
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http://www.trcp.org/energy_leasing.aspx
Any annual or short-term increase in federal funding for energy development should be
matched by funding to deal with the consequences to fish and wildlife
BLM and FS lands should be managed equally for multiple uses and resources
$VSHFLILF³Conservation Strategy´IRUHDFKHQHUJ\ILHOGRUSURMHFWZKich would go beyond
the NEPA-level evaluations and plans currently being completed, should be used to proactively
address fish and wildlife management and needs. This Conservation Strategy should be
finalized before development starts and must provide specific recommendations and actions to
minimize impacts, while establishing plans for mitigation, detailed monitoring and the use of
adaptive management.
Mineral leasing should be done in a manner that takes into account the future impacts from
development on fish and wildlife resources. Therefore, we recommend a change in the current
leasing process that would provide for a prior assessment of impacts from lease development
before leasing occurs and includes plans that balance the needs of fish and wildlife resources.
The energy development planning process should include science-based mitigation. This
mitigation must be planned by using rigorous methods and an adaptive management process
that systematically uses data from impact monitoring and evaluation to adjust development.
Offsite mitigation is essential when on-site mitigation cannot be effectively used or is not
appropriate to offset resource values impacted at the project location.
There are certain special and unique places in the West that should be either entirely off-limits
or extremely limited to oil and gas drilling
http://www.trcp.org/ch_facts.aspx
T rout Unlimited
‡ 'HYHORS VRXQG VFLHQWLILF DQG WHFKQLFDO LQIRUPDWLRQ GHPonstrating the importance of public lands to coldwater fisheries,
wildlife and fishing/hunting opportunities;
‡ %XLOG DQ DOOLDQFH RI 78 PHPEHUV ZLOGOLIH DQG ILVKHULHV
conservation groups, hunting and angling clubs, and fish and
The ecological effects of gas, oil, and coal bed methane (CBM) development on public lands
are extensive. Although the actual "footprint" of a well or pad may be relatively small,
production requires a pervasive infrastructure of roads, transmission lines, holding facilities,
ponds, and so on. This development can contaminate ground and surface water supplies, reduce
water quantity, degrade fish habitat, and fragment wildlife corridors, calving grounds, and
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wildlife professionals to advocate for management policies on
public lands that protect the long term health of coldwater fisheries
as well as wildlife; and
‡ ,QIRUP WKH EURDGHU SXEOLF RQ KRZ LQFUHGLEO\ LPSRUWDQW SXEOLF
lands are to protecting and restoring coldwater fisheries and
wildlife habitat, and the tremendous fishing, hunting and other
outdoor opportunities public lands provide.
nesting areas.
Oil and gas development is but one use, and it should not take priority over clean water,
wildlife and fish, and hunting and fishing interests. We believe that potential impacts to fish
and wildlife and water resources must be thoroughly examined and disclosed in regards to gas
and oil development on public lands.
http://www.tu.org/site/c.kkLRJ7MSKtH/b.3198169/k.C276/Energy.htm
Therefore, we recommend a change in the current leasing process that would provide for a prior
assessment of impacts from lease development before leasing occurs and includes plans that
balance the needs of fish and wildlife resources. Given the vast swath of public lands already
available for leasing, Congress should prohibit new oil and gas leasing on public lands until
landscape level management plans are completed. Landscape level management plans should
include analyses of the habitat requirements and limitations for game species and other species
of concern.
Any annual or short-term increase in federal funding for energy development ought to be
matched by funding to address the consequences to fish and wildlife.
In addition, Congress should pass legislation allowing state fish and game agencies access to an
increased percentage of federal oil and gas royalty payments.
http://www.tu.org/site/c.kkLRJ7MSKtH/b.3525365/k.62F6/Sportsmens_Energy_Agenda.htm
0DNH0LOOLRQ$FUHVRI:\RPLQJ³5RDGOHVV´7KLVURDGOHVVFODVVLILFDWLRQKDVRLODQGJDV
development specifically in mind)
http://www.tu.org/site/c.kkLRJ7MSKtH/b.3304895/k.7481/05082006.htm
14
San Juan C itizens A lliance (New M exico)
We organize San Juan Basin residents to protect our water and air,
our public lands, our rural character, and our unique quality of life
while embracing the diversity of our region's people, economy and
ecology
Ban drilling in HD mountains
http://www.sanjuancitizens.org/hd_mtns/hd_mtns.shtml (June 7 2007)
+DOWLQFUHDVHLQZHOOVQXPEHUVLQWKH6DQ-XDQ¶V
http://www.sanjuancitizens.org/oil_gas/oil_gas.shtml
Save T he Scenic Santa Ritas (A rizona)
Opposes the opening of as many as three potential copper mines in
Opposes the opening of as many as three potential copper mines in south eastern Arizona
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Environmental Utopia
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south eastern Arizona
http://www.scenicsantaritas.org/index.htm
United M ountain Defense (T ennessee)
Protect Tennessee Heritage and Watersheds
W ater keepers A lliance
Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local Waterkeeper
programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities
worldwide. To champion clean water and strong communities,
Waterkeeper Alliance:
1. Supports and empowers member Waterkeeper organizations to
protect communities, ecosystems and water quality;
2. Promotes the Waterkeeper model for watershed protection
worldwide; and
3. Advocates for issues common to Waterkeeper programs.
http://www.waterkeeper.org/mainaboutus.aspx
W estern W atershed Project
The mission of Western Watersheds Project is to protect and
restore western watersheds and wildlife through education, public
policy initiatives and litigation.
Prevent open mining in Tennessee
http://www.unitedmountaindefense.org/
Phase out coal
http://waterkeeper.org/docs/WK%20Win%2006%20Coal.pdf
³2XUKRSHLVWKDWOLYHVWRFNZLOOEHUHPRYHGIURPSXEOLFODQGV´
https://www.westernwatersheds.org/watmess/watmess_2004/2004html_spring/article7.htm
Help pass litigation removing grazing live stock from 800,000 acres in Idaho
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/wwpinfo/aboutwwp.html
Currently has case pending wherein they are trying to remove livestock from 12 million acres
across five states in the Western United States.
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/legal/legal.html
Won decision to indefinitely retire 16,300 from grazing in Idaho
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/legal/legal.html
Is working with other environmental groups to pass federal legislation to buy out ranchers and
permanently retire public lands from grazing all of this done with federal funds
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/NPLGC/nplgc.html
Opposes the creation of wind farms in Browns Bench Idaho
https://www.westernwatersheds.org/watmess/watmess_2004/2004html_spring/article7.htm
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A bout C A R E
CARE is the nonprofit agency that is advocating for your right to
use energy as you see fit and as you can afford. There are
numerous groups whose sole purpose is to change your energy
usage²groups who believe that all energy should come only
from wind and solar power. These are great resources, but our
modern society needs much more energy than these sources
alone can²or most likely, ever will²provide.
Despite the fact that trains, planes and automobiles cannot run on wind or solar,
environmental organizations who advertise that they are present to preserve clean air,
fresh water, and a safe food supply²a green earth²are actively working to shut down
WRGD\¶VVXFFHVVIXOHQHUJ\VRXUFHV7KH\VD\FRDOLVGLUW\²yet more than 50% of our
electricity in this country comes from coal. Nuclear power is clean, but they say we must
do something with the waste products, while at the same time resisting scientifically
sound solutions. Many see natural gas as the best alternative for electricity generation,
however we already use more natural gas in America than we have and import nearly
20%²making us dependant on foreign powers.
7KHQWKHUHLVOLTXLGIXHO2QHPDQVDLG³,DPZDLWLQJIRUWKHGD\ZKHQ,FDQKRRNP\
car up to a natural gaVYDOYHRQP\KRXVHDQGILOOXSP\FDU´7KLVLVDJUHDWLGHDEXW
even if that were possible today, we still have the natural gas shortage. Others want all of
us to travel only via public transportation. This may work if you live in town and only
want to go to the standard places at normal times. In California, the legislature tried to
pass a law banning all cars older than a certain age. The law would have wiped out car
collectors (like Jay Leno); required families to purchase more-costly, late model cars for
their young drivers; and removed hope of ever owning a car from low-income workers.
)RUWXQDWHO\WKHODZGLGQRWPDNHLWWKURXJK%XWWKH\¶OOWU\DJDLQ
Stopping all drilling and mining would virtually eliminate electricity, oil and gas. With
them would go your freedom to come and go as you please, your ability to be
comfortable no matter the climate, health care advances, and all plastics, from which your
computer and cell phone are made²just to name a few. And we have not touched on
how clean water comes out of your faucet, or what happens to the waste matter that
simply disappears from your life when you flush the toilet.
7KLQNDERXWLWGR\RXZDQWWROLYHLQDZRUOGZLWKRXWHQHUJ\"<HVZHDOOZDQWD³JUHHQ
HDUWK´EXWFDQ¶WZHKDYHVRPHFRPSURmise that allows us to keep our freedoms? That
compromise is happening all around us, every day. Cars and appliances are getting more
and more energy efficient. Alternative fuel sources are being developed and as soon as
they are commercially viable, they will replace our current energy sources. Until then, we
need your help to preserve the lifestyle that makes America great. What is the common
denominator to American life? Yes, it is energy.
CARE is working on your behalf to educate the public and influence policy makers
regarding energy, its role in freedom and the American way of life.
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M arita Noon, E xecutive Director
Coming from a background in communications,
Marita has brought IUHVKVNLOOVWR&$5(¶VPLVVLRQ
Marita has spent the last twenty-five years as a
professional speaker and writer. She is the author
of 19 books and has served as the president of a
communications company. This background has
given Marita the opportunity to be a frequent guest
on television and radio programs throughout North
America. Marita effectively represents CARE to
the media.
In addition to the obvious asset her speaking and
ZULWLQJVNLOOVDUHWR&$5(0DULWD¶VSHRSOHVNLOOV
are utilized in networking amongst industry experts
DQGEXLOGLQJDQ³HQHUJ\FRXQVHO´IURPZKRP
CARE draws upon when specific expertise is
needed. This same interpersonal expertise helps her
excel in overall relationship building for fundraising and program services. As a part of
0DULWD¶VH[SHULHQFHEDVHVKHKDVRUJDQL]HGDQGUXQQXPHURXVVHPLQDUVDQd events each
year.
Marita¶V expertise is in the presentation of the message²doing what needs to be done to
support the message and get it out to members and the general public.
0DULWDLVKDSS\WRSUHVHQW&$5(¶VPHVVDJHWKURXJKVSHDNLQJHQJDJHPHQWVDQGPedia
appearances. For more information, please visit www.responsiblenergy.org or e-mail
[email protected].
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E ndnotes
1
http://www.amigosbravos.org/index.php
http://www.sierraclub.org
3
http://www.savearcticrefuge.org/
4
http://www.fguardians.org/sf/issue_clean-water-wild-forests.asp
5
http://www.sanjuancitizens.org
6
Within the realm of current technology.
7
http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/rep/rep.pdf
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/coasts/
http://actionnetwork.org/BIODIVERSITY/alert-description.tcl?alert_id=9057337
https://secure2.convio.net/dow/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=713&s_einter
est=C3C4, http://www.savearcticrefuge.org/
8
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=305
9
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sum.html
10
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sum.html
11
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/article.php?id=305
http://members.greenpeace.org/action/start/150/
12
http://www.sacramentorealestatevoice.com/2007/02/01/crazy-laws-in-california/
13
J. R. McNeill, Something New Under the Sun , P. 310
14
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/censusbin/census/cen.pl
15
http://www.das.psu.edu/news/fullstory.cfm?newsID=574
16
J. R. McNeill, Something New Under the Sun , P. 310
17
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_sse=on
18
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html
19
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/323/luxury-or-necessity
20
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/323/luxury-or-necessity
21
49% of respondents said a cell phone was a necessity. All other items are higher than 50%, most well
above.
22
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/figes1.html
23
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html
24
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/trends/table11.html
25
http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2007.pdf, page 3
26
http://www.nirs.org/about/nirs.htm
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/nuclear
http://www.edcnet.org/ProgramsPages/LNG_SB%20Independent%20Article%205-24-07.pdf
27
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/watmess/watmess_2004/spring_2004.pdf, pages 7 & 12,
http://www.irn.org/revival/decom/orgs/GCI.html, http://phi.kenyon.edu/Projects/Dams/gbe03hol.html
28
http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2007.pdf, page 2
29
7KHVHQXPEHUVEDVHGRQD*UHHQSHDFH¶VJRDOVSXEOLVKHGLQ³energy [r]evolution a sustainable world
HQHUJ\RXWORRN´
(http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/energyrevolutionreport.pdf) which
provides numbers on various sources where they envision our energy will come from by the year 2050
(pages 46 and 47). Based on a forty-hour work week with a windmill at 1.5 MW and solar cells that are
15% efficient.
30
http://www.plasticsresource.com/s_plasticsresource/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=126&DID=228
31
Design News Magazine, April 30, 2007, page 49
32
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/home/sfl-hg20flamingooct20,0,2739018.story?coll=sfla-featureshomegarden
33
http://metabolix.com/publications/pressreleases/PR20070420.html
34
http://www.gptaskforce.org/article.php?id=192
http://www.scenicsantaritas.org/index.htm
35
http://www.danley.kent.sch.uk/history/nai_homes.html
36
http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/sec_content.asp?CID=1078&DID=4232
37
http://www.americanplasticscouncil.org/benefits/in_your_life/pop/power_plastics9-99.html
2
24
Environmental Utopia
An analysis from CARE www.responsiblenergy.org
38
http://www.americanchemistry.com/plastics/sec_content.asp?CID=1078&DID=4232
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2007/07/22/the_localvores_dilemma/,
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8380592
40
http://buildingdatebook.eere.energy.gov/docs/1.1.4.pdf
41
http://www.greenfireforcefive.com/sustainability.html
42
http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlegacy/sequoia, http://fguardians/sfissue_carson-national-forest.asp,
http://fguardians/sfissue_clean-water-wild-forests.asp, http://earthfirst.org/treesits.htm,
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/watmess/watmess_2004/spring_2004.pdf, page 8
43
http://earthjustice.org/our_work/campaigns/sierra_nevada.html,
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=5421815
44
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071101085029.htm, http://www.slate.com/id/2175938/
45
http://earthjustice.org/our_work/campaigns/cement-kilns.html,
http://nrdc.org/media/pressreleases/060322.asp
46
http://www.danley.kent.sch.uk/history/nai_homes.html
47
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-08-09-gore-green_x.htm
48
http://www.plasticsresource.com/s_plasticsresource/sec.asp?TRACKID=&CID=126&DID=228
49
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm#transmission
50
http://www.epa.gov/air/airtrends/2006/emissions_summary_2005.html
51
F ly Rod and Reel Magazine, April 2007, p. 20
52
http://www.westernwatersheds.org/watmess/watmess_2004/spring_2004.pdf, page 7
53
The Santa Fe New Mexican, July 17, page 1
39
25