Coal State Governor Leads West’s Decarbonization Efforts
Republicans Embrace Carbon Sequestration as Climate Change Solution
Carbon sequestration has become the go-to solution for Republicans when it comes to addressing climate change. GOP governors in western states are leading the charge by storing concentrated CO2 underground. However, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, who chairs the Western Governors Association, may be leading his state down the wrong path.
Last week, lawmakers in Wyoming heard from members of the CO2 Coalition who challenged Governor Gordon’s commitment to decarbonize the state. Dr. William Happer, founder of the CO2 Coalition, even compared these efforts to a “religion” during a Senate committee hearing.
“If you look around, you need something bigger than yourself to make your life worthwhile,” Happer said. “What’s bigger than saving the planet? The problem is the planet doesn’t need saving.”
The hearing featured testimony from Happer, along with the coalition’s executive director, Dr. Gregory Wrightstone, and Frits Byron Soepyan, a chemical engineer. Other notable members of the CO2 Coalition’s board, including Drs. Patrick Moore and John Clauser, did not testify at the hearing.
“Let me just address this 1.5-degree narrative,” Wrightstone said.
It’s already warmed 1.2 degrees. So, of that 1.5, it’s warmed 1.2. So, what they’re telling you is beware of three-tenths of a degree centigrade of warming which equates to half a degree Fahrenheit. It’s just changed half a degree Fahrenheit in this room recently, you’ve never noticed it. It wouldn’t trigger the thermostats on or off. It changes more than half a degree Fahrenheit between 11 a.m. and noon on almost every single day, and if you’re that worried about half a degree Fahrenheit of warming, you can move 19 miles farther north and your average temperature will drop half a degree Fahrenheit. That’s what they’re warning us about.
Last week’s proceedings were held in response to Governor Gordon’s decision to back out of a debate with the coalition that he had previously agreed to. This move has caused disagreement among legislators in Wyoming.
“It is no secret that many legislators disagree with the governor and his stance and policies regarding CO2,” said Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, the chair of the committee. “However, this meeting is strictly about CO2 and related policy issues, and in no way intended to be personal in any way to the governor.”
Decarbonizing The West
The forum was organized to protest Governor Gordon’s “decarbonizing the West” initiative, which he declared a top priority while leading the Western Governors Association. In a speech at Harvard University, Gordon proudly stated, “We are the first state that has said we are going to be carbon negative.”
“You can’t really do that without direct air capture or somehow doing carbon capture and sequestration,” Gordon explained. He is betting on new technology embraced by Republican governors across the country. Other governors, like Alaska’s Mike Dunleavy, have also introduced legislative packages to capitalize on carbon markets and implement carbon capture programs.
In North and South Dakota, Republican governors Doug Burgum and Kristi Noem have championed carbon capture projects. Burgum stated, “Today, we’re on our way toward achieving carbon neutrality as a state by 2030.” These initiatives aim to secure the future of energy and agriculture industries.
While carbon sequestration has its risks, such as the explosion in Mississippi that caused mass poisoning, there are alternative methods like biological carbon sequestration. This involves absorbing carbon dioxide into soils, oceans, grasslands, and forests through responsible land management.
It’s worth noting that hundreds of scientists dispute the urgency of carbon dioxide as an existential threat. In fact, one of the CO2 Coalition’s board members, Nobel laureate John Clauser, signed a declaration stating that the climate “emergency” is a myth.
Furthermore, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been shown to promote forest growth, known as the “greening” effect. This challenges the notion that carbon dioxide is solely detrimental to the environment.
What are the differing perspectives on carbon sequestration as a solution to climate change?
D climate change and the differing perspectives surrounding it.”
Carbon sequestration, or the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, has gained traction as a favored solution for Republicans when addressing climate change. Republican governors in western states, particularly Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon, have taken the lead in implementing projects to store concentrated CO2 underground. However, Governor Gordon’s commitment to decarbonization has faced criticism from members of the CO2 Coalition.
Recently, lawmakers in Wyoming held a hearing to discuss Governor Gordon’s approach to decarbonization. Dr. William Happer, founder of the CO2 Coalition, went as far as likening these efforts to a “religion,” expressing his skepticism during a Senate committee hearing. He stated, “If you look around, you need something bigger than yourself to make your life worthwhile. What’s bigger than saving the planet? The problem is the planet doesn’t need saving.”
The hearing included testimony from Dr. Happer, as well as Dr. Gregory Wrightstone, the coalition’s executive director, and Frits Byron Soepyan, a chemical engineer. Notably absent were other prominent members of the CO2 Coalition’s board, including Drs. Patrick Moore and John Clauser.
During his testimony, Dr. Wrightstone addressed the narrative surrounding the 1.5-degree target for global warming. He argued that the temperature has already increased by 1.2 degrees, downplaying the significance of the remaining three-tenths of a degree centigrade. He emphasized that such a small change in temperature would not be noticeable in day-to-day life.
The hearing was a response to Governor Gordon’s decision to withdraw from a previously agreed debate with the CO2 Coalition. This move has caused disagreement among legislators in Wyoming, with some expressing their disagreement with the governor’s stance and policies on CO2.
“It is no secret that many legislators disagree with the governor and his stance and policies regarding CO2,” noted Senator Cheri Steinmetz, the chair of the committee. “However, this meeting is strictly about CO2 and climate change and the differing perspectives surrounding it.”
The Republican embrace of carbon sequestration as a climate change solution reflects a shifting attitude within the party. While Republicans have often been criticized for their reluctance to acknowledge climate change, this recent focus on carbon sequestration demonstrates a willingness to address the issue, albeit with differing opinions on the most effective approach.
Carbon sequestration projects, such as the storage of CO2 underground, offer a practical means of reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. These projects have the potential to not only decrease greenhouse gas emissions but also provide economic opportunities through job creation and technological advancements.
However, critics argue that carbon sequestration should not be the sole solution to climate change. They emphasize the importance of reducing carbon emissions at the source by transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing sustainable practices. Some suggest that carbon sequestration projects could inadvertently delay the urgency to address the root causes of climate change.
As the debate continues, it is essential for policymakers to consider a comprehensive approach that incorporates both carbon sequestration and emissions reductions. Collaboration among stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates, is crucial in developing effective strategies to combat climate change.
The Republican embrace of carbon sequestration as a climate change solution highlights a growing recognition of the need to address this global challenge. While differing opinions remain, the focus on carbon sequestration underscores a step toward finding common ground and working towards a sustainable and resilient future.
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