Hey folks, recently I touched on some burning questions about RFK, Jr.’s stance on climate change. Honestly, I thought that would be the last we’d hear of it for a while. But, as if on cue, E&E News dropped an interview the very next day that shed some light on those very questions. And let me tell you, some of Kennedy’s responses are pretty unexpected.
Shifting Views on Climate Policy
During his campaign, Kennedy’s been pretty tight-lipped about his climate policy playbook. But this fresh interview has started to sketch out his position, though it still leaves us guessing in some areas.
On Fossil Fuels and Exports
Here’s a curveball for you: E&E News reports that Kennedy is no longer rallying against fracking. Instead, he’s batting for a ban on exporting natural gas. But not for the reasons you might think. Kennedy’s angle is all about keeping that cheap energy stateside to bolster our industrial might. He argues, “It’s cheap energy that puts us at a global competitive advantage, and we ought to be keeping that gas in our country and using it to rebuild our industrial base. It does no good for the American people to ship it abroad to Europe.”
The Climate Issue’s Weight
When it comes to the climate, Kennedy’s stance is clear: “I believe that climate is existential, but I don’t insist other people believe that. The issue is now so toxic and so radioactive that if you even talk about it, it shuts off people’s brains.” It’s a touchy subject, and he knows it.
Clean Energy Funding Opinions
On the topic of greenbacks for green energy, Kennedy’s got some opinions. He’s all for scrapping funding for carbon capture and sequestration, which he sees as a cozy deal for fossil fuel bigwigs. While he’s not against “limited subsidies,” he’s thrown shade at the Inflation Reduction Act’s hefty spending on clean energy.
Regulating Emissions
As for keeping the EPA’s climate initiatives on the books, Kennedy’s playing his cards close to his chest. But he’s voiced some concerns about climate regulations at large. He reflects, “When you start clamping down controls on people, they rebel. Americans had enough of that during Covid, of people using the crisis — that many people believe now was manufactured — in order to clamp down totalitarian controls and shift wealth upward. And they see a mirror of that in climate.”
Other Climate-Related Measures
Kennedy isn’t just about what he’s against; he’s got some proactive ideas too. He’s a fan of regenerative agriculture and keeping our lands pristine. Plus, he’s floated the idea of making utility companies bear the cost of their fossil fuel usage.
Election and Campaign Dynamics
Remember when I mentioned Kennedy’s choice of a climate denier as a spokesperson? Kennedy’s response was pretty chill: “I don’t try to control how other people perceive the world,” he said. “He’s not speaking for my campaign when he says those things.”
And as for whether his campaign might inadvertently play into Trump’s hands by siphoning votes from Biden, Kennedy doesn’t sweat it. He’s dismissed any notion that his run could tip the scales in Trump’s favor and doesn’t think it would negate his environmental crusade.
Upcoming Clarity on Earth Day
With Earth Day (April 22) on the horizon, Kennedy and his running mate are gearing up to lay out their “vision for healthy people and a healthy planet.” We’re all ears, hoping this will fill in the gaps on their environmental game plan.
In a world where climate change conversations can be as heated as the planet itself, Kennedy’s perspective is certainly stirring the pot. Whether you agree with him or not, it’s crucial to keep tabs on these discussions. After all, the health of our planet and how we choose to protect it will shape our future in ways we’re just beginning to understand. Stay tuned as we continue to unpack the climate change debate and its impact on politics, policy, and our daily lives.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://pardonresearch.com/?p=3477