“…man is not the lord of creation, with an omnipotent will, but a part of creation, with limitations, who ought to observe a decent humility in the face of the inscrutable.” Richard Weaver Pope Francis’ recently released Encyclical on the environment (Ladauto Si’) drew dismissive comments from two Catholic GOP presidential candidates. Just before the Encyclical was released, Rick Santorum commented “...we probably are better off leaving science to the scientists and focusing on what we’re really good at, which is … theology and morality.” After its release, Jeb Bush quipped “I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinals or my pope.” Bush also added that religion “ought to be about making us better as people, less about things [that] end up getting into the political realm.” These comments are striking in just how selective and limiting they portray the role of faith. As Christians, it can be assumed that both Santorum and Bush believe that God created the earth and charged man with its stewardship. If so, it is hard to understand how they can dismiss care of the environment–whether the issue is mercury pollution that harms the unborn, climate change, or wildlife protection–as being completely outside the realm of faith and morality. Such an attitude is impious. Just last week a very conservative study published in the Journal of Science Advances found that because of human actions the earth is experiencing a mass extinction of wildlife species. Extinction rates over the past century are up to 100 times higher than natural average background rates. The report notes that “loss of biodiversity is one of the most critical current environmental problems,...
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army have issued a rulemaking that finally clarifies the scope of the Clean Water Act in the wake of a split 2006 Supreme Court decision (Rapanos v. United States) that muddied the law’s interpretation. and has made protecting our nation’s vital waters and wetlands more difficult. The new rule offers a prudent, balanced and science-based interpretation that preserves the integrity of the Clean Water Act—which was passed in 1972 by a wide bi-partisan majority of Congress to protect the health of our nation’s water resources. “Clean water is a priority for every American, and this rule merits the same bi-partisan support that the Act itself received. This rule also deserves support—especially from conservatives—because it better protects wetlands, which is fiscally responsible and protective of downstream property rights,” said David Jenkins, President of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship (CRS). Wetlands, because of their unique ability to trap, store, filter and slowly release storm water, perform a number of essential functions. They reduce the frequency and severity of flooding, help maintain water quality, replenish underground aquifers, and protect against drought. When wetlands are lost to development it inevitably leads to costly infrastructure projects—such as dams, levees, diversion channels, storm sewers, and sewage treatment plant upgrades—designed to perform the same services that the wetlands had performed for free. Taxpayers are not just on the hook for the initial construction of such infrastructure, but also for maintaining it in perpetuity. Wetlands loss also impacts the property of those living downstream, resulting in more frequent and severe flooding, lower streamflow during dry periods, and poorer water quality....
When looking for environmental success stories coming out of the Lone Star State, a couple really stand out. One is the amazing growth of wind energy. Texas is the king of wind energy, producing about 20 percent of the wind power generated in the United States. The other is an event that has become the nation’s most important and impressive environmental education effort, Earth Day Texas. Earth Day Texas, which is coming up this weekend (April 24-26) in Dallas, is the brainchild of Trammell S. Crow. It started out in 2010 as a local Dallas-centric Earth Day event, but has grown into a truly Texas-sized undertaking with state, national and global impact. Earth Day Texas attracts local and national political leaders, business leaders, conservation leaders and over 50,000 attendees. It provides each of them with an opportunity to learn about our most pressing environmental problems, discuss solutions, witness what others are doing to safeguard our planet, discover the latest green technologies, and learn how to do their part. This year’s event will feature presentations on topics, ranging from water conservation and wildlife protection, to renewable energy and environmental politics. There will be a showing of the powerful new film Racing Extinction, where an innovative team of artists and activists expose a hidden world of corruption and extinction that is truly shocking. Bat Conservation International will be there with live bats giving presentations on why bats are one of the most ecologically and economically important wildlife species, and yet one of the most threatened. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, Earth Day Texas has more exhibits, entertainment and presentations...
Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher who orchestrated an armed standoff with federal officials last year over his refusal to pay two decades worth of grazing fees and fines, is back in the news. Late last month, he and his followers rallied in Carson City to support AB408, a radical (and unconstitutional) bill in the Nevada State Assembly, the purpose of which was to seize all U.S. owned lands, mineral rights and water rights in the state, and to block enforcement of federal law. That bill has since been gutted of those provisions, but Bundy is staying in the news. This weekend he plans a “Bundy Ranch Freedom Reunion” at his ranch. Bundy, who says he does not recognize the United States as “even existing, owes the government more than $1 million and has ignored countless court orders. That Bundy is still running around free and not behind bars is almost as perplexing as his crazy beliefs are. Bundy somehow believes that Nevada is a sovereign entity that is not bound by the U.S. constitution and not subject to federal law. He has apparently even went so far as to order the Clark County sheriff to disarm federal officials and tear down National Park entrance fee booths. His wacky views are more or less in line with those of the Sovereign Citizen Movement, which the FBI has expressed growing concern about. Check out recent CRS op-eds in the Las Vegas Review Journal and the Salt Lake Tribune, linked below, to read why Bundy and his followers are anti-America and anti-conservative. Las Vegas Review Journal: Bundy’s stance not in line with...
Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship (CRS) is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Richardson to its Senior Fellows program. Mark, whose professional life has provided him with diverse connections to the energy industry, brings to CRS a wealth of expertise in energy-related tax policy, financing and royalties. For much of his life he managed a dual career, both as an engineer in operations for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and as a farmer. An oil and gas royalty owner, Mark has direct experience with the traditional energy and related policies, but he has also become a strong advocate of wind energy and other energy resources that support the farm economy in Kansas. He held the position of Plains States Coordinator for the Red State Renewable Alliance, and has been a member of both the Reno County (KS) Wind Energy Task Force and the Heartland Alliance for Regional Transmission. Mark has authored numerous articles and op-eds about energy policy, and has lobbied the Kansas Legislature and the state’s congressional delegation in support of policies that do not unfairly discriminate against renewable energy sources. He has a Masters degree of Business Administration with an emphasis on economics of regulated industries from Wichita State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Pittsburg State University. Living in Hutchinson, Kansas, Mark is a lifelong Republican and an active member of the community. He has served as a board member for the Hutchinson (KS) Historic Fox Theatre, Reno County (KS) Kansas Farm Bureau, El Cap Credit Union, Reno County (KS) Planning and Zoning Commission, Envista Credit Union Advisory Board, and the Hutchinson...
