DOCSLIB.ORG

January 2021 

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
January 2021  DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCERS ALLIANCE January 2021 DEPA REPORT ON INDUSTRY, LEADERSHIP, LEGISLATION AND ENERGY REGULATION Where We Are and What Now Written by David Crane, DEPA DC Lobbyist or the past year we have been discussing the possibil- which initiates a series of regulatory actions to combat ity and implications of change in Washington. On January climate change domestically and elevates climate change 20th those discussions became reality as Joe Biden was as a national security priority, issuance of a Scientific In- sworn-in as the 46th President of the United States. Presi- tegrity Presidential Memorandum which “directs science dent Biden has the added benefit and evidence based decision-making of Democrat control in both the in federal agencies”, issuance of an House and Senate as the Demo- Executive Order re-establishing the crats swept both seats in the Geor- Presidential Council of Advisors on gia Senate run-off. As a result of Science and Technology and announc- a 50-50 tie Vice President Harris ing the data for U.S.-hosted Climate casts the deciding vote making Leaders’ Summit to be held on April Chuck Schumer the Senate Major- 22. ity leader. Beyond the usual line-up of energy Out of the blocks the Biden regulators the Biden Administration is Administration made clear there opening a new front aimed at limiting would be a radical shift in ap- and denying access to capital by those proach to domestic energy pro- “DEPA will be running engaged in domestic energy produc- duction. On day one of his presi- hard to bring the facts to tion. This push on divestment from dency, citing a “cry for survival fossil fuel will be lead by Biden Ad- comes from planet itself, a cry bear on the debate in ministration financial services regula- that can’t be any more desperate tors, economic advisors and fueled by or any more clear” President Washington and to keep environmental activists, large invest- Biden rejoined America to the the promise of American ments funds like BlackRock and State Paris Climate Accord, suspended Street, along with government guaran- the Keystone XL Pipeline, and energy independence.” teed money center banks like Wells ordered federal agencies to con- Fargo, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of duct a top down review and re- America. write of Trump administration environmental rules. The Interior Department quickly announced a snap-back to the While much of the Biden Administration anti-domestic Obama Administration ban on drilling on federal lands. energy agenda can be accomplished through regulatory fiat some items, such as eliminating critical tax provisions In addition, the new Administration announced that like IDCs and depletion allowance, will require legisla- January 27 will be “climate” day, highlighting climate tion. change as a top priority. Actions include issuing an “Omnibus Domestic and International Climate EO” From a legislative perspective any tax changes would certainly come as part of the budget reconciliation pro- prices hitting the most vulnerable Americans who have cess, which requires a simple majority in both Chambers. already been decimated by the COVID shutdown. Just as With the announcement by Democrat Senators Joe with the Trump Administration a top priority for the Biden Manchin (WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) that neither White House and congress is reshoring microprocessor, would support elimination of the filibuster any ordinary pharmaceutical and other critical manufacturing. Restor- legislation aimed at undermining domestic energy produc- ing the US manufacturing base will literally impossible tion still require 60 votes to pass the without US domestic energy – Senate. In either case, moderates in particularly when China is im- both parties and both chambers will mune to the Paris Accord for the hold the keys to preserving and next decade and India isn’t even building on the success of energy a signatory. While progress independence. Along these lines a might be a-bit slower with a primary goal of DEPA in 2021 will change in power in Washington, be building a base of support among unlike proponents of the Green moderate democrats in Congress New Deal, America’s domestic based on a message of job creation energy producers have the facts and economic growth. and history on our side. DEPA will be running hard to bring the Few things hit working class facts to bear on the debate in Americans harder than high energy Washington and to keep the prices. DEPA will be making the promise of American energy in- argument on the highly regressive dependence. Simply put we will nature of the Green New Deal not be taking our foot off the gas. which would result in higher energy Board of Director’s Meeting Friday, April 9, 11:00 am CDT DEPA believes in seeking common ground, through common sense solutions, to the challenges facing our industry. Our bipartisan Executive Board of Directors DEPA Staff approach provides a Harold Hamm Dan Boren Peter Regan uniquely powerful voice Chairman Stephanie Canales Congressional and Alliance Liaison for our members at the Jerry Simmons Diana Chance Ed Cross David Crane state and national level. President/CEO Lobbyist Ron Ness Cynthia Simonds Don Montgomery John Schmitz Vice President Marketing and Ben Shepperd Communications Dir. Our work is critical. Berry Mullennix Brook Simmons Sarah Reece Secretary/Treasurer Administrative Services Your support is vital. Bill Stevens Manager Rock Zierman PO Box 33190 Tulsa, OK 74153 405-669-6646 [email protected] DTwentyAY OTwentyNE- One46 Immediately following his inaugu- The Interior Department has issued ration, President Joe Biden signed a Secretarial Order that temporarily Executive Orders, as promised, that elevates review of relevant agency related to climate, jobs, and environ- decisions, including final agency ac- mental justice, while reversing the tions, regulatory actions, and energy previous administration’s policies. development. During the 60-day win- One of President Biden’s Execu- dow that the Order may be in effect, tive Orders requires the Interior De- decision-making over these matters partment to conduct a review of the will be reserved for Department lead- monument boundaries and conditions ership for the purposes of reviewing of the Grand Staircase-Escalante, questions of fact, law, and policy they Bears Ears, Northeast Canyons, and raise. Seamounts Marine National Monu- The Order does not impact existing ments in southern Utah. The order ongoing operations under valid leases directs Interior, in consultation with and does not preclude the issuance of other agencies and Tribal govern- leases, permits and other authoriza- ments, to determine whether restora- tions by those specified. In addition, tion of the monument boundaries and any actions necessary in the event of conditions would be appropriate. an incident that might pose a threat to The Executive Order also places a human health, welfare, or safety will temporary moratorium on activities continue. related to the implementation of the The President also took swift ac- Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing tion to begin an urgent, robust, and Program in the Arctic National Wild- professional response to the growing life Refuge pending legal and policy public health and economic crisis review. Pursuant to section 12(a) of caused by the coronavirus outbreak. the Outer Continental Shelf Lands An additional Executive Order will Act, the Executive Order also re- help slow the spread of the virus by stores the original withdrawal of cer- asking all of us to do our part and re- tain offshore areas in Arctic waters quiring masks and physical distanc- and the Bering Sea from oil and gas ing. drilling. The Interior Department will have The Interior Department will im- additional department-specific guid- mediately begin to implement the ance in the days and weeks to come. orders, and make recommendations to the President as directed. DEPA Report on Industry, Leadership, Legislation, and Energy Regulation January 2021 3 A Chat About The Current political state of Domestic Energy with Congressman Henry Cuellar and DEPA CEO/President Jerry Simmons Recorded January 22, 2021 Our 2020 webinars were a great success. We have decided to expand our electronic content with shorter more casual interviews without live attendees. This Don’t Miss Out! will allow us to be much more flexible with the inter- view schedule, which means getting on additional calendars. Connect with Us. So in 2021, between live webinars with energy leaders, DEPA will be recording more casual conver- YouTube: @depausa1 sations with various notable insiders to be posted to our website, social media, and YouTube channel. Facebook: @DEPAlliance You will be able to watch these at your leisure. Some of these conversations will be about the Instagram:@DomesticEnergyProducerAlliance most current events and immediate reactions. Some will be on topics that continue to be slowly evolving Twitter: @DEPAUSA issues. We hope you enjoy these videos and feel free to submit guest and topic suggestions to us at Linked-In: Domestic Energy Producers Alliance [email protected]. Why Join DEPA? We are talking to leadership and pushing your issues forward. 4 Domestic Energy Producers Alliance February 10, 2021 Member Webinar 11:00 Am CST Find out what DEPA Chairman Harold Hamm has to say about the current state of domestic energy. Rick Muncrief, Devon Energy President and CEO, will join us to discuss the Devon/WPX merger, and other insights from his vantage point. Registration is open at www.depausa.org/webinar-events Thank you to our Technology Sponsor WWW.PIVOTTS.COM DEPA Report on Industry, Leadership, Legislation, and Energy Regulation January 2021 5 An Assault on Domestic Energy Doesn’t Equal Environmental Justice You may not have heard, but people are freezing These actions are an all-out assault on American around the world -RIGHT NOW - due to frigid tem- energy independence. peratures and a lack of affordable, reliable energy – Look at the potential impact the federal moratori- like the natural gas that heats most U.S.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pdf Reporters
    XX XX Lire en page 19 MARCHES POPULAIRES DU VENDREDI ZOHEÏR ABERKANE ZOHEÏR PHOTO : PHOTO ISSN n° 2335-1047 LE HIRAK TOUJOURS ENTRETIEN EXLCUSIF N° 2162 – Mardi 3 décembre 2019 – Prix : 10 DA NOUVEAU DÉCOUPAGE ADMINISTRATIF AU RENDEZ-VOUS ! L’ALGÉRIE PASSE CAMPAGNE POUR LE SCRUTIN ET La politique de montage automobile Campagne électorale Scrutin du 12 décembre LIRE EN PAGE 7 À 58 WILAYAS DU 12 DÉCEMBRE au banc des accusés Escarmouches LIRE EN PAGE 7 entre les camps Après un énième report XX de Tebboune et des interrogations XX HIS GÂCHIS et Mihoubi Le verdict des LIRE EN PAGE 17 Ouled Djellal Rôle politique du haut 5 porteurs de El Meghaier commandement de l’ANP Touggourt drapeau berbère Stars et critiques de cinéma Du grand non-dit aux De Bulle Ogier, l’éternelle ÉCONOMIQUE mercredi prochain El Ménéa Ali Mebroukine, expert en droit des affaires petites, mais fâcheuses « SalamandreBeni Abbes», à Timimoun LIRE EN PAGE 4 l’apocalyptique Marlon Brando «Des démarches déjà entamées pour récupérer guéguerres de staffs Action de protestation In Salah électoraux à Tissemsilt à l’appel de la CSA Mouna Gherbi des montants placés à l’étranger» Djanet LIRE EN PAGE 3 LIRE EN PAGES 2-3 E « Le jour où Dieu meurtBordj Badji Mokhtar dans SCANDALE 35Timide VENDREDI DE LA CONTESTATION les cœurs » POPULAIRE À ALGER In Guezzam e Les examens du cycle primaire perturbés rassemblement Nawel Dib 39 Hirak estudiantin à Alger Ecole : le malaise persiste HIRAK Artiste créatrice de bijoux GAÏD SALAH 6e JOUR DE CAMPAGNE MANIFESTANTS PRO-HIRAK MÉDIAS ???? à Alger HARDI,
    [Show full text]
  • Our World Is Burning
    OUR WORLD IS BURNING John Scales Avery September 27, 2020 INTRODUCTION1 Two time scales The central problem which the world faces in its attempts to avoid catas- trophic climate change is a contrast of time scales. In order to save human civilization and the biosphere from the most catastrophic effects of climate change we need to act immediately, Fossil fuels must be left in the ground. Forests must be saved from destruction by beef or palm oil production. These vitally necessary actions are opposed by powerful economic inter- ests, by powerful fossil fuel corporations desperate to monetize their under- ground “assets”, and by corrupt politicians receiving money the beef or palm oil industries. However, although some disastrous effects climate change are already visible, the worst of these calamities lie in the distant future. Therefore it is difficult to mobilize the political will for quick action. We need to act immediately, because of the danger of passing tipping points beyond which climate change will become irreversible despite human efforts to control it. Tipping points are associated with feedback loops, such as the albedo effect and the methane hydrate feedback loop. The albedo effect is important in connection with whether the sunlight falling on polar seas is reflected or absorbed. While ice remains, most of the sunlight is reflected, but as areas of sea surface become ice-free, more sunlight is absorbed, leading to rising temperatures and further melting of sea ice, and so on, in a loop. The methane hydrate feedback loop involves vast quantities of the power- ful greenhouse gas methane, CH4, frozen in a crystalline form surrounded by water molecules.
    [Show full text]
  • Inclusion of Frontline Communities in the Sunrise Movement Senior Honors Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the School of Arts
    Inclusion of Frontline Communities in the Sunrise Movement Senior Honors Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Undergraduate Program in Environmental Studies Professor Brian Donahue, Advisor In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts by Phoebe Dolan April 2020 Copyright by Phoebe Dolan Committee Members Professor Brian Donahue Professor Sabine Von Mering Professor Gowri ViJayakumar Abstract Environmental activism and climate activism have a long history in the United States. Historically the membership of the environmental movement was white, old, educated and mostly male. This history led to the exclusion of communities of color, low income communities and indigenous communities from the mainstream climate movement. The Sunrise Movement is a youth climate movement, founded in 2017, fighting for the futures of young people in the face of the climate crisis. Sunrise has the unique angle of representing youth as a frontline to the future of the climate crisis, but as a movement how are they uplifting other frontline communities such as people of color, low income communities, island populations and beyond? How does the Sunrise Movement uplift and center frontline communities in their organizations, what are their tactics, where are they challenged and how are they succeeding? I interviewed 11 current leaders within the Sunrise movement and asked them if Sunrise succeeded at uplifting and centering frontline communities and where they were challenged. Common themes came up for many participants, Sunrise embraces storytelling as a form of narrative around climate justice, but they tend to tokenize frontline voices. Urgency is necessary for the Sunrise Movement to act on the climate crisis, but Sunrise must curb their speed in order to focus on inclusion as a movement goal.
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT a Just War Theory for Domestic Politics Collin Slowey
    ABSTRACT A Just War Theory for Domestic Politics Collin Slowey Director David D. Corey, Ph.D. In this paper, I address the ethical repercussions of treating domestic politics like war and attempt to formulate a philosophical framework by which to morally evaluate political words and deeds. First, I consider the rise of the metaphor of war in American political discourse and the increasing tendency to think of politics as competitive and conflict-oriented, rather than cooperative and peaceful. I then examine the unique ethical challenges this trend presents. In the main body of the paper, I reason analogically from the just war tradition to create something like a just war theory for domestic politics, applying the distinct requirements of justice before (jus ad bellum), during (jus in bello), and after (jus post bellum) war to concrete ethical problems in today’s public square. Most notably, my findings highlight the need to eschew moral realism in partisan battles and stop declaring war on inanimate objects or concepts (e.g., “drugs” or “terror”). They also highlight the importance of prudence and restraint in domestic politics. Hopefully this paper will spur Americans to take the moral dangers of metaphorical war-making seriously and produce some standards to help navigate those dangers. APPROVED BY DIRECTOR OF HONORS THESIS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dr. David D. Corey, Department of Political Science APPROVED BY THE HONORS PROGRAM –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Dr. Andrew Wisely, Interim Director DATE: _________________________ A JUST WAR THEORY FOR DOMESTIC POLITICS Discerning Moral Guidelines for Warlike Politics A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Baylor University In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors Program By Collin Slowey Waco, Texas Spring 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Triumph Debate Lincoln Douglas Brief – November/December 2020
    N O VEM B ER/ D ECEM B ER: RESO LV ED : T H E U N I TED ST A T ES O U GH T TO PRO V I D E A FED ERA L JO BS GU A RAN T EE. 0 TRIUMPH DEBATE LINCOLN DOUGLAS BRIEF – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 1 TRIUMPH DEBATE LINCOLN DOUGLAS BRIEF – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 Table of Contents TOPIC ANALYSIS – BY MATT SLENCSAK ........................................................................................................................................ 6 FRAMING ................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 PHILOSOPHICAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT JOBS GUARANTEE ................................................................ 14 THE JOBS GUARANTEE IS BASED ON A FLAWED CONCEPTION OF RIGHTS ................................................................................................ 15 THE RIGHT TO A JOB IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT ....................................................................................................................................... 16 HEGEL MARKET EXPLANATION ................................................................................................................................................................ 17 HEGEL ON WELFARE AND CORPORATISM ............................................................................................................................................... 17 HEGEL - JOBS GUARANTEE ....................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • FIGHT the FIRE: Green New Deals and Global Climate Jobs
    Jonathan Neale FIGHT THE FIRE Green New Deals and Global Climate Jobs Jonathan Neale Published by Resistance Books, London The Ecologist, Devon Alternative Information and Development Centre, Cape Town International Institute for Research and Education, Amsterdam Advance Praise for Fight the Fire “ Jonathan Neale has unusual gifts for writing science, technology and politics, ideas and practical plans in ways everyone can understand. He used these gifts in One million climate jobs – a project for trade unionists, activists and political workers in the UK. In Fight the Fire: Green New Deals and Global Climate Jobs, Jonathan Neale has developed them for the world.” – Barbara Harriss-White, Professor of Development Studies, University of Oxford “ Jonathan Neale has produced a magnificent book, readable and accessible – an analytical tour de force and a grounded, forceful call for practical action. Central to any green new deal, with a caring economy at its core, must be the commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions rapidly. New jobs to do that are needed – climate jobs – for those losing their old high-carbon jobs, and for many others besides. It will require a reinvigorated public sector. Looking at both the global North and South, Neale spells out, sector by sector, exactly how we can do it. Inspiring, life-affirming and, above all, practical.” – Richard Kuper, Red Green Labour “ Neale’s writing provides a compelling argument and guide for climate justice activists. The force of its logic, ideas and inspiration is unassailable and many will keep this one by the bedside for years to come.” – Rehad Desai, Director, Miners Shot Down “ 'I want a concrete plan, not just nice words', said Greta Thunberg.
    [Show full text]
  • All Ears with Abigail Disney Season 2 Episode 15: Varshini Prakash Young People Will Inherit This Earth Air Date: February 11Th, 2021
    All Ears with Abigail Disney Season 2 Episode 15: Varshini Prakash Young People Will Inherit This Earth Air Date: February 11th, 2021 VARSHINI PRAKASH: It's Varshini. I think you said it fine. ​ ABIGAIL DISNEY: Okay. Varshini. ​ VARSHINI PRAKASH: Yeah. I had to go through a hilarious process when I was like 21 ​ years old, I had to go through a very awkward process of communicating to all my best friends that they had been saying my name wrong for the last six years. Poor things. That's when I noticed an emergence of the use of “Varsh”, quite expansively. ABIGAIL DISNEY: Oh, right. ​ I’m Abigail Disney, welcome to All Ears, my podcast where I get to go deep with some super smart people. This season I’m talking to good trouble makers. Artists, activists, politicians, and others who aren’t afraid to shake up the status quo. We’ll talk about their work, how they came to do what they do, and why it’s so important in hard times to think big. You can’t think about solutions without being a little optimistic, and man oh man I think we need some optimism right now. ABIGAIL DISNEY: So I'm gonna read a little intro and then we will jump in. Does that ​ sound good? VARSHINI PRAKASH: Let's do it. ​ ABIGAIL DISNEY: If you care about climate change, the past few weeks have brought ​ some welcome news. ABC News Anchor: President Joe Biden signed executive orders aimed at tackling ​ climate change, calling it an existential threat to the planet.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dream of America's Green Revolution Lives on DENMARK [Note: This Article Originally Appeared on Sunday, Nov
    The Dream of America's Green Revolution Lives On DENMARK [Note: This article originally appeared on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 in the Danish newspaper, Avisan Danmark. Its translation to English is the responsibility of Frank Hammer and Kelly Eubank, both of whom were inter- viewed. From the Motor City to the capital of green energy. In Detroit, Michigan I met a fighting young climate activist and a trade unionist retired from the U.S. automotive industry who both want to save the plan- et. Joe Biden was not their preferred presidential candidate, but the activists feel that he will listen to them. Journalist Emil Jørgensen covered the U.S. presidential elections for The newspaper Danmark. Read his weekly column and articles in the newspaper and hear him in the Podcast Denmark. The podcast Denmark can be reached via Ny- hedskiosken or via the QR code here. Emil Jørgensen's stories from the United States are developed in response to questions from readers. If you have input, questions, or ideas for Emil, write to him at https://spoergre-daktionen.fyens.dk/ usa/ USA: Nine years. That is the apocalypse deadline to save the planet from man-made climate change. A deadline which the UN has given the globe, one that 29-year old Kelly Eubank builds her life around. And nine years, says Kelly, is optimistic. While sitting at a Detroit cafe, sipping a lavender latte with oat milk, her eyes reflected desperation during her interview with Avisen Danmark, “We are not just moving toward a catastrophe. We're already there,” she says.
    [Show full text]
  • Updated November 23, 2020
    Updated November 23, 2020 1 Executive office of the President (EOP) The Executive Office of the President (EOP) comprises the offices and agencies that support the work of the president at the center of the executive branch of the United States federal government. To provide the President with the support that he or she needs to govern effectively, the Executive Office of the President (EOP) was created in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The EOP has responsibility for tasks ranging from communicating the President’s message to the American people to promoting our trade interests abroad. The EOP is also referred to as a 'permanent government', with many policy programs, and the people who implement them, continuing between presidential administrations. This is because there is a need for qualified, knowledgeable civil servants in each office or agency to inform new politicians. With the increase in technological and global advancement, the size of the White House staff has increased to include an array of policy experts to effectively address various fields. There are about 4,000 positions in the EOP, most of which do not require confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Senior staff within the Executive Office of the President have the title Assistant to the President, second-level staff have the title Deputy Assistant to the President, and third-level staff have the title Special Assistant to the President. The core White House staff appointments, and most Executive Office officials generally, are not required to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, although there are a handful of exceptions (e.g., the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chair and members of the Council of Economic Advisers, and the United States Trade Representative).
    [Show full text]
  • Progressive Change Institute (Pci)
    DIRECTORY OF PUBLIC SECTOR & NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP 2020 Edition s & II PUBLISHED BY THE PROGRESSIVE CHANGE INSTITUTE (PCI) Progressive Change Institute is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that does not engage in partisan intervention (and does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates). This guide is intended to be a non-partisan resource. In this directory, you’ll see profiles of over 700 incredible public sector leaders. These are diverse, experienced leaders who have a demonstrated commitment to the public good, and a track record of challenging corporate power and working to build a better world. This directory is a combined edition of Volume I and Volume II. Volume I is indicated in shading, and Volume II is indicated in white. The directory is an ongoing project. If you would like to nominate someone for inclusion in future editions, please contact us at: [email protected]. Over 40 organizations contributed to this directory. Special thanks to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Family Farm Action, National Housing Resource Center, People's Action, and Public Citizen. CONTENTS AGRICULTURE CENSUS ECONOMIC POLICY EDUCATION ELECTIONS ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HOUSING IMMIGRATION INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY JUSTICE LABOR OVERSIGHT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS REGULATORY AFFAIRS SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE TAX POLICY TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS TRADE TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE A-DAE ROMERO-BRIONES A-dae Romero-Briones is the Director of Native Agriculture and Food Systems at the First Nations Development Institute. She is the Co-Founder, and was Executive Director, of Cochiti Youth Experience, a nonprofit organization in Cochiti, New Mexico. She also currently serves as a Public Interest and Consumer Interest Representative on the National Organic Standards Board at the US Department of Agriculture.
    [Show full text]
  • LUCSUS Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies
    1_ Introducing Degrowth to Socio-Environmental Movements in the United States A case study of the Sunrise Movement and Democratic Socialists of America Amanda Schockling Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science, No 2021:018 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Lund University International Master’s Programme in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science (30hp/credits) LUCSUS Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies Introducing Degrowth to Socio-Environmental Movements in the United States A case study of the Sunrise Movement and Democratic Socialists of America Amanda Schockling [email protected] A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Lund University International Master’s Programme in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science Submitted May 11, 2021 Supervisor: David O’Byrne, LUCSUS, Lund University 1 Empty page 2 Abstract (149 words) In a country with a large historical and current share of emissions, recent climate inaction and political upheaval have disallowed substantial social-environmental reforms from being endorsed. This thesis critically examines the current cycle of contention in the United States by classifying the Sunrise Movement and the Democratic Socialists of America as social movement organizations through the lens of social movement theory with a goal to identify successes and understand how the movement could increase the viability of democratic socialism in America and make governmental climate action inevitable. I describe the movement’s political opportunities beginning with President Obama’s climate policies, mobilizing structures like social media, and framing processes which make the climate narrative more effective. Performing a qualitative content analysis on interviews and social media content, I characterize the latest socio-environmental movement and conclude by recommending degrowth policies that could attract more participants and strengthen its claims for climate justice.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critical Decade
    A CRITICAL DECADE John Scales Avery June 12, 2021 INTRODUCTION1 Humanity has reached a critical decade A new report, published on 14 March, 2021 in the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’ journal Ambio, points out that humanity is hurtling towards destruction unless we have the collective wisdom to change course quickly. Here is a link to the article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-021-01544-8 The Ambio article was written as part of the preparation for a meeting of Nobel Prize winners to discuss the state of the planet. The virtual meeting was held on April 26-28, 2021. We must achieve a steady-state economic system A steady-state economic system is necessary because neither population growth nor economic growth can continue indefinitely on a finite earth. No one can maintain that exponential industrial growth is sustainable in the long run except by refusing to look more than a short distance into the future. Of course, it is necessary to distinguish between industrial growth, and growth of culture and knowledge, which can and should continue to grow. Qualitative improvements in human society are possible and desirable, but resource-using and pollution-producing industrial growth is reaching its lim- its, both because of ecological constraints and because of the exhaustion of petroleum, natural gas and other non-renewable resources, such as metals. The threat of catastrophic climate change makes it imperative for us to stop using fossil fuels within very few years. Entropy is a measure of disorder. Our present economic system is uni- directional and entropic: Low-entropy resources are converted into high- entropy waste, a unidirectional process.
    [Show full text]