The Intersection of Environment and Politics: Insights from the Shultz Fellowship Meeting
Katelyn Kim ’25
Victoria Kenton ’25
On the evening of April 25th, the Shultz Fellowship held an engaging open meeting to discuss the intricate relationship between environmental policies and politics in America. This collaborative gathering with the Alvord Center brought together students and faculty for a spirited panel discussion on the government’s role in adapting to climate change. The Shultz Fellowship, known for its nonpartisan approach to political discourse, meets every Thursday night, fostering a culture of civil dialogue and heightened political awareness on campus.
The panel delved deep into the major policies shaping America’s approach to the environment and their ties to the economy. Most of the discussion evaluated whether the United States could continue diversifying and strengthening its economy without causing further environmental harm. The contentious Sea Port Oil Terminal project in Texas exemplified this debate. With a budget of $1.8 billion, this initiative plans to facilitate the export of 2 million barrels of crude oil per day through the loading of two supertankers simultaneously (Biden Administration Approves Largest Offshore Oil Export Terminal in the U.S., 2024). Critics of the project argue that it would lead to greenhouse gas emissions on a scale equivalent to nearly 90 coal-fired power plants, posing a “disastrous” impact on the planet (Biden Administration Approves Largest Offshore Oil Export Terminal in the U.S., 2024).
Throughout the meeting, students and faculty explored the tension between economic growth and environmental conservation. The discussion highlighted the Sea Port Oil Terminal as a poignant example of how economic initiatives often come at a significant environmental cost. The dialogue extended to the global stage, noting the disproportionate impact of climate change on the world’s poorest countries, which suffer greatly despite contributing little to the global emissions causing climate change.
Policy solutions were a focal point of the conversation. The panel examined various approaches, such as carbon capture technologies and cap-and-trade systems, which have seen mixed results globally. Systems like those implemented in California and the European Union show promise but also underscore the complexities of designing policies that effectively balance economic interests with environmental preservation (Cap-And-Trade | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute, n.d.).
The discussion also touched on the severe consequences of delaying environmental action. Projections suggest that failing to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels could result in a loss of 20 percent of global income (NASA Study Reveals Compounding Climate Risks at Two Degrees of Warming, 2023). If the climate changes more dramatically, the economic fallout could be as severe as a 60 percent reduction in global income, highlighting the urgent need for decisive and effective policy action (NASA Study Reveals Compounding Climate Risks at Two Degrees of Warming, 2023).
The Shultz Fellowship’s meeting underscored the importance of informed discussions on sustainable policies. By navigating the challenging waters of economic development and environmental stewardship, the Fellowship aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the political landscape that surrounds climate change. This session emphasized the need for thoughtful consideration and strategic action in shaping our environmental future, urging the next generation of leaders to prioritize sustainability in their political and economic agendas.
References
Biden Administration Approves Largest Offshore Oil Export Terminal in the U.S. (2024, April 12). Earthjustice.
cap-and-trade | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Legal Information Institute.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/cap-and-trade
NASA Study Reveals Compounding Climate Risks at Two Degrees of Warming. (2023, August 10). NASA.
