Read Alex Epstein's New Book, USFS Suspends Prescribed Burn Program, & More
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good evening,
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
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Here’s what I have for you today.
Alex Epstein Argues Fossil Fuels Will Power Our Future
The Left’s animus towards energy independence and corresponding human flourishing must be challenged.
This week at Davos, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, claimed, “There isn't any country on the planet that isn't feeling and living the impacts of the climate crisis.”
While in Japan, President Joe Biden appeared to relish in high gas prices back home, remarking, “[When] it comes to the gas prices, we’re going through an incredible transition that is taking place that, God willing, when it’s over, we’ll be stronger and the world will be stronger and less reliant on fossil fuels when this is over.”
A new book from philosopher Alex Epstein, however, argues continued use of fossil fuels and its byproducts will positively impact our future.
Epstein’s new book, Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas--Not Less, masterfully makes the case for continued usage of coal, oil, and natural gas against so-called “renewables.”
The author articulates to readers the importance of refuting hostile viewpoints concerning fossil fuels.
USFS Pauses Prescribed Burn Program Ahead of Fire Season
Is the Biden administration undermining proactive forest management practices?
On Friday, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced a “pause” of the prescribed burn program for 90 days. The decision comes after high-intensity wildfires have ravaged New Mexico.
“I am asking representatives from across the wildland fire and research community to conduct the national review and evaluate the entire prescribed fire program, from the best available science to on-the-ground implementation,” wrote USFS Chief Randy Moore in a statement. “Lessons learned and any resulting program improvements will be in place prior to resuming prescribed burning. I expect this to take about 90 days.”
He added the agency may “reimagine” the prescribed burn program in the future, noting, “Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest management. These burns are intended to reduce hazardous fuel loads caused by debris that has built up in the forest understory, thereby reducing wildfire risk. And they top the list of essential tools managers need to use for improving forest conditions. Yet climate change, drought, dry fuels throughout the country and other factors have led to increasingly extreme wildfires, so we must change the way we make decisions about when and where to burn.”
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—Gabriella