Fred Upton Met with Energy Lobbyists in Secret Before His About-Face on Carbon Regulation
Summary:
Fred Upton changed his stance about climate change and said that regulating carbon emissions would be "unconstitutional". A meeting was held in secret with an invitation-only guest list that is tightly guarded. Local constituents are suprised at Upton. WKZO noted it is about more than just carbon emissions. They thought because of the Enbrige oil spill near Upton's district he would back them up on tighter construction restrictions. Instead he is backing the construction of new pipeline from Canada to Texas. He is now planning a bill to block EPA's ability to regulate carbon emissions.
Personal Reflection:
I was shocked that Upton would do something like this. He should be working for the people, but instead he is working for his own needs. Upton should back what the people want and stop worrying about the carbon emissions. That is his own opinion and not the peoples
Questions:
1. Why do you think Upton is changing is stance?
2. Do you think Carbon emissions should be regulated? Why?
3. Do you think we should stop the construction of pipelines? why?
4. What do you think of all the oil spills happening reasently?
Upton should really consider exactly what not controlling carbon emissions means. Sure his generation and ours might be dead before much else besides the O-zone hole happens, but its important to care for the environment. If human society doesn't monitor its carbon now then how will it have the strength to do it in the future. Upton shouldn't have changed his view, I understand the need to get off foreign oil, but isn't it more important that the environment come first? If carbon emissions aren't monitored the O-zone hole may grow even bigger, someday. Basically Upton wasn't thinking of the future but of what he could get right now. He was going for money more than what every one else's opinion is
ReplyDelete1.I think Upton possibly made an alliance with the oil and pipeline companies, which would explain why he drastically changed his mind.Maybe the oil company gave money towards his campaign.
ReplyDelete2.I think they should because the carbon breaks the o-zone layer apart that protects us from the strong sun rays and that needs to be regulated.
3. If we are going to be dependent on gas and oil we need the pipe lines but they need to be placed where they won't negatively affect the local environment. Also we should try to use less gas and more solar wind and water power.
4. The oil spills are mistakes made by humans that have huge affects on the water,animals and all the of the sea life around it. If we continue without proper safe guards they will continue to happen and only get worse.
Upton shouldn't have changed his view so drastically it makes him seem kind of shady. Like he's doing it just to benefit the oil company's. I mean regulating the carbon emission is important. We need to regulate the carbon because if we dont we will for sure die sooner, because of the sun's harmful rays. Also I don't think we need another pipeline running through the center of the country. Yes we are dependant on oil, but as Shea said we do need to try someother methods of power and start being so dependant on oil.
ReplyDelete1.) I think that Upton is changing his stance because he an extremely self-centered man and is not fully aware of how not regulating the carbon emissions will effect us. Regulating the carbon emissions would NOT be unconstitutional, it would be helping our environment and future generations.
ReplyDelete2.) As stated in the previous answer, I believe that regulating the carbon emissions would have nothing but a positive impact on the earth. If we let things like this slip, global warming will continue to get worse. This will lead to many natural disasters and which will have a huge, negative impact on planet earth.
3.) At this point, it would be almost impossible to completely stop the construction of pipelines, just because our society today revolves around oil and gas. However, like Shea said, this process should be continued in places that will not have an impact on the environment.
4.) The oil spills that have been occurring recently are 100% preventable. Since today's culture is in such demand of oil, devastating and tragic events like this happen and will continue to do so. Our society needs to find an eco-friendly, safe alternative.
The questions that are still unanswered are what will this alternative be? How long will it take for humans to make the switch from gas to the alternative? And how much more time do we have until the severe effects of global warming start to kick in?