Monday, November 3, 2008
Environmental and energy concerns are big issues on the political agenda. With the constant pendulum swing of gas prices, one of the proposals to lower both the price of gas and crude oil is offshore drilling.
In August 2008, President Bush called for a restart of drilling, though Congress banned offshore drilling in 1981. Both parties have different views on the proper action to take. Republicans want to “drill here and drill now,” because of the high gas prices.
Democrats contend that oil companies have millions of acres of land that they’re not drilling that should be developed before any new drilling takes place. Congressional action on this issue is still pending.
“I am against the current legislation on any offshore drilling because it will not have an immediate effect on the economy,” Jonathan Eisen, St. Louis junior, said. “It will take 10 years before there is a drop in oil prices.”
The topic of energy independence has liberals supporting non-fossil fuels and conservatives in favor of domestic oil sources.
Maggie MacDonald, St. Louis sophomore, agrees Americans should not rely on oversea oil supplies.
“We should use our own resources,” she said. “We should not go somewhere else to drill.”
Wind, solar and wave power are sources of alternative energy that could be used in place of fossil fuels. Althea Schnacke, Lawrence junior, supports the use of alternative energy.
“It’s free,” she said. “It takes start-up capital, but after that it pays for itself.”
Because of the nation’s reliance on automobiles, it is lacking when it comes to energy efficiency.
Zach White, Riverside, Iowa, senior, supports energy conservation because of the money he would save.
“Solar and wind energy is cheaper,” he said. “I wouldn’t have electricity bills.”
Global warming and greenhouse gases have a serious impact on the environment. The dispute about this issue is how much of the emissions are natural climate functions versus human activity.
Jenny Mohwinkle, Topeka senior, said that we should be concerned about the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment.
“We have neglected it for so long.” she said. “There could be some big problems.”
The issue of conservation and maintaining natural resources is a substantial part of both presidential candidates’ platforms. Brenna Daldorph, Lawrence junior, remembers one of her professors saying that the environmental crisis will affect us more than the financial crisis and Sept. 11.
“I am interested in environmental issues,” she said. “It is absolutely necessary for the candidates to be aware of what is happening to the environment.”
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
Candidates discuss positions on environmental issues
The Kansan spoke with local State Senate and State House candidates, asking ...
Lowell: Two steps forward, one step back
Allowing off-shore drilling is a political compromise, but keep big picture in ...
Guest: How Americans can find independence
Letter: Celebrating Earth Day on the National ...
A student interning in Washington D.C. shares her experience.
Department receives $5 million grant
Geology at the University given money to research storing CO2 underground.
Energy solutions for U.S. economy include drilling
Cohen: Drilling delays dealing with problem
Although new plans to engage in off-shore drilling are better than past ...
Support legislation to prevent climate change
Editorial board wants government to pass preventative climate change legislation.
Editorial: Support legislation for climate change
Editorial board wants government to pass preventative climate change legislation.
Biking to protest dirty fuel
Student members of Greenpeace will travel to Rep. Dennis Moore’s offices today ...
KGS tests underground for CO2 storage
CO2 storage may be stored in an underground rock structure called the ...
Editorial: Why students should vote for Obama
The Kansan editorial board's endorsement
Evaluating presidential platforms
Obama and McCain differ on three major points during campaign.
Fired up about coal
Lawrence’s coal-fired plant contributes to high asthma rates, river pollution.
Greening it
Your guide to greener living
Loving: Don't blame big oil companies for ...
Gas prices rise because of events around the world, not because oil ...
Faculty members get environmental task force positions
Faculty members Simran Sethi and Jeff Severin were chosen by Climate Protection ...
Kenny: Subsidies hurt Kansas farms, environment
The financial assistance causes unnecessary waste, among other things.
Graham: How the United States could be ...
EPA administrator speaks about Hurricane Katrina, pollution ...
Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shared with students various ...
Political instability may lead to high oil ...
Oil prices hike in Libya and affect gas prices at home.
Record gas prices prompt gas strike
The proposed stike will take place on June 17, 18, but some ...
Solution for oil price increase debated
With the average gas price in Lawrence at $3.05 per gallon, the ...
Discussing the future of energy
Brownback and 13 experts of energy and regulation debate energy business and ...
McNaughton: Proof of climate change clear, but ...
It should be common sense by now that climate change is occurring.
Pickens to discuss energy plan
Oil tycoon will speak about renewable energy today at the Dole Institute.
Anschutz receives environmental award
Anschutz Library is awarded for student-led initiative to use wind power to ...
Kennedy advocates environmentalism
Robert Kennedy Jr. said the environment is intertwined with everything in his ...
Oil magnate to present energy plan at ...
Pickens plan would use natural gas, solar, and wind to end foreign ...
Solar energy’s bright future in Kansas
Faculty and students are exploring new ways to embrace solar energy.
Saving Money and the Planet
Learn tips for reducing energy bill costs while becoming more environmentally friendly.
Thompson: Turning up the heat: Climate change ...
Thompson says Kansas temperatures will rise by 2100.
Oberthaler: How your rock collection could fix ...
Letter: Why students shouldn’t vote for Obama
Alaskan wildlife needs preservation
Two students design rain garden at Zarco ...
The garden has native plants as part of its water conservation system ...
Cohen: Now it’s much easier being green
Facebook groups, hybrid cars offer new ways to be environmentally friendly.
Editorial: KU students finding more ways to ...
A variety of campus groups give students the opportunity to promote sustainability.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID