In a story which is unlikely to appear in the mainstream media, you will learn why 21 teenagers are attacking the petroleum industry for violation of the individual rights. They are seeking status as co-defendants in a lawsuit filed against the United States by environmental groups. The oil and gas lobbies are entering the court battle in attempts to derail a policy changing decision.

“Fossil fuel companies continue to show complete disregard for my future and the future of my generation,” Victoria Barrett, a 16-year-old plaintiff who opposed the industry’s proposal to intervene as defendants in the suit, told EcoWatch. “They have put my constitutional right to a certain quality of living at risk and continue to completely bulldoze over any real solutions for a sustainable world.”

The lawsuit seeks comprehensive, science-based legislation to return atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million by the year 2100.

The petroleum industry is complaining about a possible reduction of its profits. The industry claimed that “reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to bring atmospheric carbon dioxide levels down to 350 parts per million would abate some of the future risks of climate change, those reductions would nevertheless not be ‘appropriate’ if the future potential benefits would be outweighed by, for instance, enormous losses in productivity and economic development.”

Big Oil has received special treatment by our government for far too long. The very fact that it approved the most dangerous mining operation in our nation’s history forces clear thinking men and women to question the ties between our legislators and the oil and gas industry.

Fracking has increased the fears of environmental groups. The injection of a mixture of sand, water, and 600 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic, deep into the earth under enormous pressure, pollutes underground water and poisons the soil. It also wastes approximately eight million gallons of water per operation.

Fracking has also been blamed for unusual seismic activity. Areas of the nation where fracking has been established are experiencing increasing numbers of earthquakes, even in states which were previously void of these events.

Both of our political parties fail to address a demographic much more important than any other; our youth. Younger Americans pay attention to what occurs in our nation and the world. They are becoming more informed than their parents and grandparents. They realize that they are the generation which will be affected if no action is taken to avoid environmental disaster.

Younger Americans are less concerned with religion; they accept the LGBT community; they are less inclined to be racist; and they do not fear outside forces. More young women than men are entering universities. Their concern is the future of the United States of America.

These 21 teenagers are to be commended for becoming involved in a vital issue which is ignored by an entire political party. They are aware that the GOP is the only group in the developed world which denies climate change. Young men and women believe in science and dislike politics and politicians.

When the voting age was reduced to 18 years of age, college age students celebrated, but few actually voted in the early years of change. That is not the case today. They know that they can change the way our nation works, and they are far better informed than their predecessors.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Kurt Nordstrom

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2