Image of oil rig obtained from Unsplash website
Allison Ugarte/Contributing Writer
President Donald Trump signed an order to extend a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico off Florida until 2032.
With a record of proposing expansion and supporting the U.S. oil and gas drilling industry, Trump’s reversal comes during a crucial time in the swing state of Florida nearing the Nov. 3 election.
“I wouldn’t be surprised…this government showed multiple times they back track on different things that they say…so that’s a concern…but at this point I would say this is a good policy, good stand from this administration which we probably did not expect, but it’s maybe their strategy,” said Pallab Mozumder, FIU associate professor who specializes in economics and environmental policy.
Florida’s coasts are valuable as they contain a wealth of natural gas and oil resources sought out by oil companies. However, the coasts are also important to the local business sector in Florida.
According to Mozumder, “Trump’s environmental policy, environmental records, are not consistent with this new stand…[they’re] trying to gain support from the business community.”
The 10-year ban begins on July 1, 2022 and ends on June 30, 2032. However, environmental researchers and advocacy organizations are concerned regulations could go back if Trump wins the 2020 election.
In 2017, the Trump administration planned to open oil and gas drilling in almost all the U.S coastal waters but did not undergo the move.
In the past, Florida governors have supported the protection of coastlines, beaches and ecotourism from offshore drilling and its risks. Water quality issues could affect tourism and fishing in Florida, which are major drivers of the economy.
According to Neptune Srimal, a teaching professor from the Department of Earth and Environment, “If you have an oil spill…its effects could last for years.”
Srimal highlights that our economy depends on our beaches and an oil spill would negatively impact the local market.
“Given the experience lately we had with the BP oil exploration issue, even that… left a lot of oil leaked into the gulf coast and its subsequent impact on that nature, environment, coastal water quality, wildlife, tourism,” said Mozumder.
This issue affects young Florida voters as it becomes a climate change question in a defining election.
“So many of my students are somehow related with our tourism industry, with the hospitality industry,” said Srimal. “I think it touches the life of every person in Florida at least in South Florida and the Gulf Coast too.”
Bonfiglio admits to seeing the average swing Florida voter care more about climate change. He encourages new voters to research candidates and their stance on environmental issues to help bring parties together.
“This is a backyard fight for all of the students that chose…to come to Florida International [University]…you will be living with the worst effects of climate change,” said Bonfiglio. “There’s so many more people that care about this than there were 10 years ago…the energy is there and we’re going to make some big change.”