SE Wyoming News

Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis and Competitive Enterprise Institute President Kent Lassman have published an op-ed in the National Review, criticizing the failures of the World Economic Forum's climate agenda. In their article, they argue for the need to reject top-down environmentalism and support the use of fossil fuels. Lummis also urges Congress to pass the POWER Act, which aims to prevent any administration from blocking energy and mineral leasing on federal lands.

The op-ed highlights the discussions that took place at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, where world leaders suggested making significant concessions to address climate change. These ideas included having wealthier nations pay for climate action in poorer nations and phasing out fossil fuels globally. However, Lummis and Lassman argue that it is the real people who suffer the consequences of these initiatives, losing opportunities for basic necessities like sanitation, food security, and reliable electricity.

The article points out that the push to transition away from fossil fuels has been a recurring theme in recent climate conferences. However, little attention is given to the harm and trade-offs that such initiatives entail. The authors criticize climate extremists for attempting to scare the public into making immediate sacrifices without considering the consequences. They believe that a better future lies in human ingenuity and abundance today.

The op-ed poses a hypothetical scenario in which all governments worldwide mandate the phasing out of fossil fuels. Lummis and Lassman argue that this would result in higher prices for basic goods and services, as well as the elimination of reliable and affordable electricity. They express concern that the current administration's regulatory proposals, such as limiting Americans' ability to buy gas-powered vehicles and restricting the use of appliances fueled by natural gas, will further exacerbate these issues.

The authors question the effectiveness of these extreme measures in addressing climate change. Citing the Heritage Foundation, they state that even if all OECD countries eliminated their greenhouse gas emissions, the world average temperature increase would only be mitigated by 0.5 degrees Celsius in 2100. They believe that instead of focusing on unrealistic and extreme measures, nations should be empowered to deploy all-of-the-above energy practices that promote resourcefulness and innovation to address climate challenges.

Lummis and Lassman call for an end to the current administration's assault on domestic energy. They advocate for the adoption of legislation like the POWER Act, which would prevent any administration from blocking energy or mineral leasing on federal lands without prior congressional approval. They also highlight the importance of rare earth minerals, which are needed for producing batteries that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The authors argue that the United States should take advantage of the deposits of these minerals to reduce reliance on China and regain its position as a global energy leader.

In conclusion, Lummis and Lassman emphasize the need to prioritize freedom and faith in human ingenuity when addressing climate challenges. They argue that by positioning ourselves to solve problems as they emerge, we can avoid the full brunt of future crises.