Derek Markham @ Treehugger.com highlights the latest dubious project from extremist elements in the fossil fuel industry:
You’re either with us or against us, according to the Western Energy Alliance’s social media campaign.
The Western Energy Alliance (a misnomer, as the only energy industries it lobbies for are oil and natural gas) would like us to believe that the future of energy is black and white, and that either you side with all of those pesky activists and environmentalists who want us to go back to the dark ages by giving up all fossil fuels and depriving everyone of health and happiness, or you side with the oil and gas companies and want the evil guv’ment to lift all of the profit-robbing regulations from the industry.
“Eliminate fossil fuels! We hear it all the time. Sounds easy, right? Then pledge to live fossil fuel free for a week and see what it’s really like.”
The group just launched a ridiculous social media campaign, called the Fossil Fuel Free Challenge, in which it gives participants two choices, both of which are disingenuous and short-sighted, and then backs up both choices with hyperbole and dishonest characterizations.
“Fossil fuels permeate our lives. Our campaign provides us the opportunity to show those who oppose responsible oil and natural gas development that they would be poorer, sicker, less educated, colder in winter, and hotter in summer while generally leading a dull and deprived life. But for anyone who thinks life is better without fossil fuels, then we challenge you to go one week without them.” – Tim Wigley, president of Western Energy Alliance
The cited website is simple-minded and irresponsible. It fails to properly characterize the situation in which pollution has become a serious problem, fossil fuels contribute to global warming, and we have more problems with the oceans becoming the sink for used plastics.
But let’s deconstruct the website. If you agree with the WEA’s position, then they say,
Yeah, fossil fuels make modern life possible! They allow us to be healthier and lead more productive lives.
This is a bit of weasel wording. It is, in fact, true that the energy provided by fossil fuels has greatly improved life – but notice how my wording differs from their wording. By separating energy from the source – fossil fuels – we differentiate the requirement (energy – although, yes, this can be ameliorated through conservation) from the optional part – fossil fuels. With this clarification we can then easily understand that it’s energy, currently provided by fossil fuels, which provides the good times – not fossil fuels in and of themselves.
Naturally, the pollution emitted while processing and burning fossil fuels is not mentioned on the website. This is a failure of responsibility.
And if you choose to take their challenge, they happily point out how fossil fuels pervade our lives:
For five days don’t use any product made from, delivered using or operating on oil, natural gas or their associated products. That means staying clear of anything that uses gasoline, oil or natural gas. Even electricity, plastics, rubber and synthetic fibers are to be avoided.
Which is irrelevant – because the technologies which will permit fossil free living fall into the categories of not invented yet, not fully developed, or not fully distributed.
They are engaged in advocacy for their position, and I have no doubt they’d plead this to be their right. Here’s the problem: the processes and results of their work poisons the environment and the citizenry, and yet they make no mention of it. It would be perfectly fine to continue this work while stating that they fully support / invest in the development of replacement technologies, because it’s obvious that we are not yet ready to fully transition from fossil fuels to alternative technologies. It’s even fine to have a long term plan to continue production, albeit in reduced form, because some usages will no doubt be impossible to replace (but never bet against an engineer).
Instead, they are attacking the alternatives. It may be speculative, but (and note how this echoes the very first point in this post) I think they have permitted their pursuit of money to divert themselves from the pursuit of prosperity. Think about it: Possession of money is just the ability to buy things. Prosperity is the entire package: enough money, good health, healthy environment, happy neighbors, good standing in the community, all those things which comprise a good life. The employees & owners of WEA, in essence, are driving away from themselves many of the elements of a good life through this advertising campaign.
And that’s a sad statement on corporate morality.1
1I speculate that Behavioral Economics might play into that mindset, better known as “I have a hammer, and thus everything is a nail.”
