Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour: on Environment
Bill Clinton:
Signed 1982 Law of the Sea treaty ; awaiting ratification
In March 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation confirming American sovereign rights and control over all living and nonliving resources within 200 miles of US coasts. Reagan's actions were a sound alternative to the ill-considered 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Reagan would not approve the convention. The Clinton administration, however, after some essentially cosmetic tinkering, has now signed the pact. It should not be ratified.
If the nation is to realize the full potential of President Reagan's vision, we must create a forward-looking oceans policy that recognizes our many and complicated interests. Our National Oceans Policy must ensure that we retain robust scientific
research capabilities, both in government and in universities. An appropriate oceans policy will replace the current bewilderingly fragmented patchwork of laws and regulations that prevents American firms from fully utilizing the ocean's vast potential.
Source: Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour, p.277-278
Apr 25, 1996
Haley Barbour:
Rely on voluntary incentives to solve environmental problems
Environmental problems do exist, and environmental concerns are important. Environmental policy should rely on the natural incentives of private individuals cooperating through voluntary associations. Policy should empower millions of individuals to
protect their environment. No amount of coercion will save the planet if the average person truly wants to destroy it. Fortunately, the simple fact is that people everywhere desire a safe and clean environment.
Source: Agenda for America, by Gov. Haley Barbour, p. 79-80
Apr 25, 1996
Haley Barbour:
Kangaroo rats are not more important than people's homes
The Endangered Species Act has become a powerful tool in the hands of those who want to stop growth or any use such as is historically found on farms, ranches, and forests. One of the reasons the act is so invasive is that species-listing decisions
aren't always based on proven scientific standards. We favor an intelligent policy of species conservation. To put human families out of their homes for the kangaroo rat is just plain wrong.
Source: Agenda for America, by Gov. Haley Barbour, p. 83-84
Apr 25, 1996
Haley Barbour:
Allow drilling in ANWR
The responsible development of US oil and gas reserves should be encouraged. Energy security as a continuing national goal cannot be ignored. We must make energy security a national objective.
For example, the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) with its evidence of immense oil and gas reserves should be opened to oil and gas exploration.
Source: Agenda for America, by Gov. Haley Barbour, p. 94-95
Apr 25, 1996
Haley Barbour:
"Sustainable development" represents a scarcity mentality
A new environmental policy will require that we reconsider some of the fundamentals. For example, a chief flaw of current policy is that it is built on a sustainable development concept. This represents a scarcity mentality.
The sustainable development model postulates a static quantity of scarce resources that must be carefully husbanded. However, we know that in many cases scientific discoveries have changed the equation.
Because of our reliance on the sustainable development concept, we have a tendency to control output, to restrict material and energy use instead of ensuring that residuals are not dumped on the property of others.
We have focused on emissions reduction rather than pollution prevention.
Source: Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour, p. 71
Apr 25, 1996
Haley Barbour:
1982 Law of the Sea treaty is socialistic and ill-considered
In March 1983, Pres. Reagan issued a proclamation confirming American sovereign rights and control over all living and nonliving resources within 200 miles of US coasts. Reagan's actions were a sound alternative to the ill-considered 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea. This UN proposal would create a socialistic system of control and regulation of the seas. It embodies an outmoded 1970s view of the world. Reagan would not approve the convention. It should not be ratified.
If the nation is to realize the full potential of President Reagan's vision, we must create a forward-looking oceans policy that recognizes our many and complicated interests. Our National Oceans Policy must ensure that we retain robust scientific
research capabilities, both in government and in universities. An appropriate oceans policy will replace the current bewilderingly fragmented patchwork of laws and regulations that prevents American firms from fully utilizing the ocean's vast potential.
Source: Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour, p.277-278
Apr 25, 1996
Newt Gingrich:
1995: Entrepreneurial scientific approach to environment
Our policy must protect both the environment and the citizen. We must recognize that economic growth is key to improving the environment. A speech at a 1995 National Policy Forum conference given by Speaker Newt Gingrich offers guidance. The
Speaker called for "bold, new, entrepreneurial, scientifically based approaches to giving our children the best planet, the best country, the finest environment in the world in a way that makes sense and is economically affordable."
Source: Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour, p. 78
Apr 25, 1996
Ronald Reagan:
1983: Extended sovereign control 200 miles off US coast
In March 1983, in a little-noticed but historic act, President Reagan issued a proclamation confirming American sovereign rights and control over all living and nonliving resources within 200 miles of US coasts--a staggering addition to our natural
patrimony of some 2 million square miles, or about 4 billion acres. The seabeds we now control and the ocean above are an unopened treasure house. Our new offshore domains could become a Louisiana Purchase of the 21st century.
Reagan's actions were a sound alternative to the ill-considered 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This UN proposal would create a socialistic system of control and regulation of the seas. It embodies an outmoded
1970s view of the world. Reagan would not approve the convention. If the nation is to realize the full potential of President Reagan's vision, we must create a forward-looking oceans policy that recognizes our many and complicated interests.
Source: Agenda For America, by Haley Barbour, p.277-278
Apr 25, 1996
Page last updated: Dec 12, 2018