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Show www.dailyutahchronicle.com 5 OPINION Monday, March 1, 2010 Both sides lack expertise in climate debate I t's amazing how often people will talk passionately about subjects of which they have little knowledge or expertise. It's especially dumbfounding when these same people seek to write laws or change the course of government. It seems obvious that we would want to avoid this kind of behavior, but it keeps happening. On Feb. 19, during a Senate committee meeting, concerned legislators and citizens met to discuss topics most of them admitted they didn't understand. If there is any hope for smart politics or intelligence in general, this has to stop. It was during this meeting that House Joint Resolution 12 was proposed and passed to the full Senate. It "urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to cease its carbon dioxide reduction policies, programs, and regulations until climate data and global warming science are substantiated." Derek Snarr, a senior in political science who attended the meeting, said, "my reason for being here is that I'm not a scientist and I'm not qualified and nor are any of you to debate science in this room." "We are in such an uncharted territory that I think we need to be extremely careful where we're going," said Rep. Kerry Gibson, the resolution's chief sponsor, during the meeting. He wrote in the resolution that the EPA should withdraw its "regulations until a full and independent investigation of the climate data and global warming science can be substantiated." An opponent of H.J.R. 12 supplies us with reasons to doubt his judge- r-( Ii4uveg.11-0! Maw we' f.- cwobtice. 'ca -vitk. ot gou-r Gi.to4ATC- criA0C.e. ALL St% eh> -r ic-r LeibiA) G, 1-14c-- eco NI 1 First-year Medical Student ment and a proponent politician tells us to be careful of being too sure about this issue. Why do we find both speaking with unsure language for or against sending a formal statement to a federal agency that is burgeoning with certainty? There were several scientists at the meeting, but their expertise was in other areas. U sociology professor Andrew Jorgenson, who has studied the social impact of pollution on survival outcomes, weighed in on the validity of climate data in his address. His research, though climate-based, doesn't answer specifically the question of whether climate change is taking place or, more importantly, whether the EPA could do anything about it. Other scientists who argued against the resolution were present, but again, their expertise was in areas that by definition wouldn't address the question proposed by Gibson: Is climate data substantiated enough to justify Utah's support of EPA restriction on carbon dioxide emissions? Gibson, a self-described dairy farmer, claims all sorts of economic problems from EPA regulation. Not a single economist spoke to the committee. Many serious economists who want to reduce carbon emissions Amnesty would prevent tragedy from drinking H ouse Bill 277 passed the Senate subcommittee with a unanimous decision a week ago. H.B. 277 would encourage courts to not prosecute the minors who call for emergency help when a Senior, Mass Communication peer is in need. This is a gigantic step forward in the often-neglected world of alcohol clearly a reference point for awareness in Utah. Underage our current bill, then why not drinking—and even youthful grant the same amnesty in our policy? If the drinking age consumption—has become like Utah's Lord Voldemort—the cannot be lowered—and that unpreventable activity that must doesn't have quite as good a not be named. chance as Paris Hilton winThe Senate has acknowlning an Oscar—then a policy edged reality: As long as as liberal as GWU's might be there are kids with curiosity advantageous. and alcohol available, there I am not promoting underage drinking. I am promoting rewill be teenagers passed out face down, on diving boards sponsible action when underage drinking takes an irresponsible where available, even with an anti-drinking ad campaign that turn. As certain as a New York peppers teenagers with only Knicks third-quarter collapse, slightly more ads than Bud kids mess up. Light. The problem lies in the I salute the bill as it stands, prosecution of individuals who and to set the record straight, I act responsibly in the middle am 21 years old, so it no lonof irresponsible behavior, ger affects me directly. But I because that promotes silence wish they would take it as far when there should be shouting. as it should go—full amnesty, especially if the tipping point is If all students were provided amnesty if they called for help another tragedy. when a friend was in need, I letters@ could guarantee there would chronicle.utah.edu be very few, if any, alcohol poisoning-related deaths. Take George Washington University's Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education Alcohol Medical Amnesty Program, for instance, which grants amnesty Overdose Reportto people under 21 who are ing Amendments brought in for alcohol-related ailments and allows them to Chief Sponsor: Rep. Christine receive medical attention free of Johnson, D-Salt Lake City worry, if they haven't previously violated the program. The last General description: It point is a key criteria for prowould provide consideration moting rather than penalizing of mitigation for a person unresponsible action. It also grants der 21 in violation of alcohol the same privilege, with the consumption or possession same restriction, to those who laws, who in the same incident make the phone call or bring reports to law enforcement the afflicted person in. a person who is physically GWU created this policy endangered by the consumpafter the death of a student in tion of alcohol. 2008, and it has been beyond effective. So if their version Source: Utah Legislature, le.utah.gov is undeniably effective, and H.B. 277 WILLUS BRANHAM/The Daily Utah Chronicle are members of what Harvard economist and chairman of former President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisors Greg Mankiw calls the Pigou Club. Pigovians support carbon and gas taxes as an incentive to reduce emissions rather than federal mandates that don't make it in companies' immediate financial interests to do so. Have they ever painted Gibson's picture of an economic wasteland following EPA-based taxes? No. It was Bertrand Russell, a land- mark mathematician, who advocated the "unilateral disarmament" of Britain while Hitler amassed one of the largest armies in German history. It was George Bernard Shaw, a genius playwright, who found it unacceptable that Americans are "so fearful of dictators. Dictatorship is the only way in which government can accomplish anything." Had Noam Chomsky stayed in his office at MIT and studied linguistics, he would be a blip in the historical record, not the kind of controversial figure that Rage Against the Machine would want to quote in their lyrics. The Legislature and each citizen can't be experts at everything, but you'd think experts on this issue would and should be a larger part of the debate. Legislators and citizens alike shouldn't declare high-minded convictions while in the same breath admitting that they lack the tools to establish the validity of their ideas. letters@ chronicle.utah.edu N. Temple plans a plus for businesses alt Lake City wants the new airport TRAX Line to act as a catalyst for a trendy, urban environment that welcomes Utah visitors. The long overdue enhancement of North Temple is a priceless development opportunity business owners should capitalize on. Travel on North Temple is seen as a means to get from point A to point B, and the businesses there are mostly invisible. In fact, I only intentionally head to that part of town a few times a year to visit the state fair and to occasionally subdue my Red Iguana withdrawals. Mayor Ralph Becker's Grand Boulevard proposal is a street beautification project running alongside TRAX. It offers a flourishing ambiance to the area similar to Gateway or 9th and 9th, which uniquely appeals to a shopper's sense of beauty. There would be io-foot-wide, decorated paths added to the front of businesses, exposed power lines would be buried and decor lamp posts, benches and landscaping with trees and colored sidewalks would be integrated to help make the TRAX line and the surrounding industrial area less glaring. It would naturally entice consumers into the area. John Naser, Salt Lake City deputy engineer and airport light rail project manager, said the city understands the improvement might be a financial burden to some North Temple business owners, but he said the long-term effects far outweigh their combined 15 percent requested contribution to the project. S ALICIA WILLIAMS Senior, Mass Communication "The commercial properties located on the street benefit the most," Naser said. "This enhancement will really start driving property values. With something like this you'd say, 'How does this affect my property value in io years?" The entire Grand Boulevard construction and light rail, including cars, is a $300 million project. Naser said UTA is paying for all but $29 million, of which the city has agreed to cover $25 million. It's asking the 140 business owners located along the 22,400 feet of the street, which are ultimately benefiting from the beautification project, to pick up the other $4 million. Salt Lake City is still mindful of the expenditure, Naser said. That's why it's providing the businesses a way to reduce the impact of the renovation costs. Each business would be assessed, not taxed—a fee calculated at $185 per foot times the length of its property frontage. Naser said the largest frontage holder—the state of Utah with 3,700 feet—has allocated its $600,000 for the project, even though it didn't have to. The fee can also be spread out to a much smaller annual payment during io years for a reason- able 3 percent interest with no qualifications. "Ninth and 9th was $245 a foot for the same thing," Naser said. "Same type of assessment, but that one was more money because it didn't have nearly as much city money in it." Additionally, the city has scrapped its proposed yearly maintenance fee of $17.50 per foot that primarily covered sidewalk snow removal, Naser said. Owners would just transfer their responsibilities to the new strip. The future of Grand Boulevard is now in the hands of North Temple business owners. Salt Lake City has mailed out its notice of intentions, and owners have until April 13 to decide whether they're willing to contribute to the improved appearance of the city's western entrance. Most tourists and shoppers choose to spend their time and money at quaint, unique and pretty areas of Salt Lake City. North Temple is not attractive, and it certainly does nothing to promote a shopping atmosphere. The addition of light rail alone will do zilch for the area except to continue its legacy as an efficient, direct route to downtown or the airport. However, choosing to beautify North Temple will directly influence commuters' perceptions of the area. Smart business owners should jump on the opportunity to increase their property value and promote consumer attraction for a fraction of what it's really costing. letters@chronicle.utah.edu LETTER TO THE EDITOR Presenter's Office events draw from wide spectrum Editor: As the Films Chair for the Presenter's Office for this academic year, I feel the need to respond to Douglas Jennings' column, "U should diversify activities" published Feb. 23. I could lavish praise for our concerts, speakers and other events, but I'm going to focus on the Free Film Series, because it is the program for which I am responsible. Frankly, I'm just confused by virtually all of Jennings' complaints about the Free Film Series, with its lack of diversity being his primary concern. The writer of the article either missed the schedule of the yearlong series, or ignored it deliberately to conjure up controversy where none exists. The Presenter's Office has screened films of virtually every genre this year, including foreign, family-friendly, comedy, science fiction, action, horror, drama and documentary. His problems with the malecentric films are a little baffling as well. "Let the Right One In," a foreign film we screened in October, follows the story of a young female vampire. Also, one of our most popular films this year, "The Hurt Locker"— nominated for nine Academy Awards—was the creation of the first female nominee for direction in seven years, Kathryn Bigelow. That distinction was one of my primary reasons for selecting it. Looking at gender representation of the Presenter's Office as a whole: What about the highly successful "The Vagina Monologues," which he mentions in this very article? We at the Associated Students of the University of Utah are proud of the increasing popularity of the Free Film Series and other events, and we hope student involvement on campus continues to grow. By the way, Jennings, every event you've mentioned has either sold out or been very well attended. You might want to join us for camaraderie and entertainment rather than pout. Tim Harrison, ASUU Presenter's Office Films Chairman Senior, Spanish and International Studies |