Tonight I'm covering a debate at CU Boulder between RFK Jr. and Alex Epstein. The proposition before them: "Should fossil fuels be radically restricted?"
Here to get the latest on the world of right-wing climate views. Get ready.
Here to get the latest on the world of right-wing climate views. Get ready.
Moderating the debate is @guypbenson, a Fox News contributor who's kicking thing off by disclosing he's "center right."
"I think it's important like me to disclose a bias when I have one."
"I think it's important like me to disclose a bias when I have one."
Benson says that climate change is real and that humans have contributed to it--and believes others on the stage are coming from the same starting point.
Wow they are each about to get *20 minute* opening statements. Sorry but that's a speech, not an opening statement, imo.
RFK Jr. is kicking things off by telling the audience he's believes in true capitalism, which he says doesn't exist. That's because "true capitalism" means companies bare the cost of cleaning up their mess.
RFK says the globe subsidies fossil fuels to the tune of $5.2 trillion. This is true according to the latest IMF report. imf.org/en/Publication…
In the meantime, some background on this event. It was organized by the Free To Be Coalition, which aims to promote productive dialogue and free speech on campus. It's was founded by Heidi Ganahl, a Republican CU Regent.
RFK still going. This speech is rambling and peppered with some pretty elite examples of climate effects. He's talked about how he's seen its effects scuba diving and on homes in Cape Cod.
Ok now we are on to Epstein. He's now presenting his argument, which is that to promote human flourishing, we reduce fossil fuel production. We should produce and burn more.
His speech is framed as a journey from the liberal bubble of Chevy Chase, Maryland into a a true believer in fossil fuels.
He's learned, he says, that low-cost, reliable energy is essential of modern life.
He's learned, he says, that low-cost, reliable energy is essential of modern life.
*we shouldn't reduce
Epstein is the author of The Moral Case For Fossil Fuels. The book frames the expansion of fossil fuels as necessary for the betterment of the global poor.
Environmentalist, in his equation, are denying people this low-cost, reliable energy he's talking about.
Environmentalist, in his equation, are denying people this low-cost, reliable energy he's talking about.
His conclusion: nuclear has a lot of potential, but the expansion of first-world life styles requires the continued use of fossil fuels.
He's now onto climate science. He's cherry picking a number of apocalyptic past predictions of climate scientist that haven't proven true.
Ok, weirdest thing about that speech, was Epstein's continual reference to concerns about vaccines. RFK has long been a promoter of those concerns, often of shaky grounds.
"Just like with the vaccines, you need to look at the side effects and its benefits. Same with fossil fuels."
Big applause for RFK defending Epstein's right to speak on college campuses.
And he's now onto a diatribe on vaccines. He says he's not anti-vax. He just thinks all vaccines should be more thoroughly tested.
*if not vaccines
Now RFK is trying to get him to debate him about vaccines.
Epstein just refered to the rapid restriction of fossil fuels as "energy genocide."
Waiting patiently for these humanists to discuss how the effects of climate change land on the world's poorest people.
time.com/5575523/climat…
time.com/5575523/climat…
RFK says if externalities were accounted for, then gas would cost $12.50 a gallon. Then, we'd all moved to electric cars.
Matt Burgess, an enviro studies assistant prof, is now moderating the q&a. He praised CU for hosting the debate without any "protest mobs."
Epstein just claimed part of the reason for the end of slavery was cheap fossil fuels.
RFK Jr. then proceeds to relate the moral arguments for slavery to the moral arguments for fossil fuels.
And with those fireworks, this is over.
RFK Jr. then proceeds to relate the moral arguments for slavery to the moral arguments for fossil fuels.
And with those fireworks, this is over.
