On Tuesday (3/5), I attended the Climate Change and Environmental Issues panel in Drinko Hall at 6:30pm. The first panelist was Colin O’Brein, an attorney who is staffed by the organization Earth Justice – a nonprofit organization that litigates environmental issues. The second panelist was Scott Weaver, who is employed by AEP as the Director of Air Quality. This academic event highlighted some of the prominent environmental issues that threaten our globe and livelihoods today. In addition to this, the speakers addressed their own perceptions about what the greatest modern challenges are and how their respective companies and organizations are working in coalition with the green movement.
One of the most interesting points of the panel was the speakers’ articulation of what they think are the greatest obstacles to achieving environmentally conscious policies. O’Brein (Earth Justice) points to the nature of capitalism for one of the explanations. Companies will invest where the business is, where they will make the most money. If coal is cheaper, this is where the company will move. It becomes even more crucial that the public demand green energy when companies look for ways to cut costs at every corner. “Money talks”, according to O’Brien. This is explained to be exemplified in the case of Shell and their legal fight in the Arctic. Their ability to hire the lawyers and continue a lengthy legal battle will contribute to their success. Scott Weaver (AEP) extends upon this explanation, pointing to how companies like PG&E invested in renewable energy ventures, rather than investing in improving their own systems. This is one of the contributing factors that led to the most deadly California wildfires seen in history, that killed up to almost 85 people. Weaver points to this to exemplify the responsibility of companies to invest not only in green exploration, but in the improvement of our already existing systems. I thought that this area in which O’Brien and Weaver explain the challenges of modern progress is the most pressing part of the panel, as it is impossible to win a fight when you don’t know about the enemy. It is necessary that we acknowledge the major setbacks because we have the power to change them through mass mobilization or participation. If I could ask the panelists further questions, I would inquire about how we might interact with this fact that companies follow the money, and ask how we as individuals can stay informed and how to best keep our companies accountable for energy costs.
I appreciated this opportunity to hear about the issue of climate change from a new perspective – that of an employee of an energy company and of an environmental lawyer. These unique perspectives served for an informed panel that offered insight on how our energy companies and government are interacting with our high consumption market, all amidst a national green movement.