Why are environmentalists causing so much pollution?
May 18, 2015, 2:34 PM | Updated: 3:47 pm
(Photo courtesy of the Seattle Department of Transportation)
I know, I know, I know: the protesters are making a “nuanced” argument (apparently) as they try to block traffic around the Port of Seattle.
They see no irony in using petroleum-based kayaks to protest Shell Oil’s Arctic drilling. When you point that out, you’re told, well, it’s a nuanced position. It’s not, actually; the drill was already docked when they jumped in their kayaks to protest. In other words, they weren’t even using their petroleum-based kayaks to stop the drill from docking or leaving. They were just enjoying a day in their kayaks (that they likely transported in their cars). They could have avoided using their petroleum-based kayaks and had a protest on land. They could have avoided being called hypocrites. But yeah, yeah, yeah: “nuanced” argument and all.
So help me make sense of Monday’s actions.
They are anti-Shell Oil because of how badly they contribute to global climate change. OK, fair enough – that’s easy to understand. They were on the Lower Spokane Street Swing Bridge for their protest, which backed up semi-truck traffic on East Marginal Way.”
So why, exactly, do you protest in a way that increases the carbon footprint of the trucks getting in and out of the port? Don’t those trucks (and any other vehicles) stuck in traffic end up idling and creating more pollution that helps speed up their impact on the environment?
Why are environmentalists causing so much pollution? I’ll take an answer, including a nuanced one.