By Jordan Blum
Houston billboards, part of a media campaign, are asking energy companies, whose fossil fuel products are blamed for accelerating climate change, to pay their “fair share” for the massive Hurricane Harvey recovery process.
The Center for Climate Integrity and Public Citizen say that man-made climate change is warming ocean waters and strengthening storms like Harvey, helping them to unleash much more rainfall and flooding on communities.
The overwhelming consensus among scientists is that burning coal, petroleum products and natural gas is quickening the pace of global warming by emitting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.
This is just the beginning of a larger national campaign that’s starting in Houston and includes a website, whopaysforharvey.com, said Adrian Shelley, Texas director for Public Citizen.
He noted that U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research scientists have said up to 30 percent of Harvey’s rainfall could be attributed to human contributions.
The first two billboards are on Texas 225 near the Richey Street exit and along Texas 59 near Kingwood.
Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, criticized the effort, arguing that people need affordable energy from oil and gas.
“It’s sad and unfortunate that environmental extremists, who oppose fossil fuels, would use misinformation to exploit a terrible tragedy,” Staples said in an email response.
“It’s the same scare tactic and fundraising tool they’ve used for years. It is undeniable that energy development improves our personal well-being and quality of life,” Staples said.
