Ignore misinformation, brainwashing tactics

In response to comments made concerning the environment within your column featured in the Aug. 21 issue of The Exponent, I would like to share my ideas with you and your readers. The key to dealing with the environment (and most any divided issue) can be expressed in one short phrase: "Environmentalism without fanaticism." In this day and age, it seems popular to take an alarmist point-of-view on just about every problem we face as Americans. You yourself state in your article that the world is "running out of petroleum, and quick." This is hardly the case. A simple half-hour investigation into the federally managed Energy Information Administration homepage (<http://www.eia.doe.gov>http://www.eia.doe.gov) led me to discover otherwise.

Scientists have made dire predictions about the future of petroleum and non-renewable resources for decades. In the mid 1960's it was commonly predicted that the crude oil supply would certainly be exhausted by the year 1980. Here we are a full 20 years beyond that date with oil production still on the rise, and not even expected to peak for another 50 years. Then why are gasoline prices so "incredibly" high, one might ask? If you take a close look at the raw data presented by the EIA and DOE, the answer is simple: Politics. Supply has little to do with price in this situation, as admitted by international OPEC leaders. They simply have control of the "valve" on a massive oil supply, twisting it ever so slightly and strategically to maximize their profits. Truth is, we (the world community) currently have a substantial supply of oil, and are constantly discovering new resources.

So what can we do? The first step is to cease the spread of propaganda-like misinformation. It is issues such as these that politicians use to become elected officials. The public must not be "brainwashed" into believing that action is required (and thus voting as such) when it simply is not the case. Second, despite the fact that our oil supply is in a healthy condition, it is certainly not infinite. We absolutely must look further into the use of nuclear power. The processes involved in its usage and safety must be studied, streamlined and perfected. With most other current solutions such as solar and hydroelectric energy found to be costly and non-profitable, I believe nuclear power is the future. But rushing into action, fueled by the cry of alarmist, vocal activists, is dangerous business. Such a drastic changeover would certainly require time, and we have the resources to be patient.

Chris Foskey

Sophomore, Schools of Engineering

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Ignore misinformation, brainwashing tactics

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