Trans Mountain Pipeline Argument Analysis

Linda V. Mapes’ article “Demonstrators arrested after disrupting Seattle traffic in protest of Trans Mountain pipeline” discusses a public protest that took place in Seattle, Washington against tar-sands oil extraction and the proposed construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline that is occurring Canada. The protesters believe that these activities will harm the environment, endanger wildlife in Western Canada, contribute to climate change, and cause violence against the indigenous women in the region. The protesters targeted their efforts by highlighting Chase Bank’s financial backing of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The occupied the lobby of the building that houses a Chase Bank branch office and blocked traffic in the street in front of …show more content…
This ideology “seeks nothing less than a nonviolent revolution to overthrow the whole polluting, plundering and materialistic industrial society and, in its place, to create a new economic and social order which will allow human beings to live in harmony with the planet.” Maples documents the opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline, the grievances the protesters cite for those actions, and presents those actions in a favorable lights. Maples never mentions any benefits that might result from the project nor does she addressed any viewpoints that supports the …show more content…
The protest did not occur in the remote area where the construction is taking place. Instead the protesters chose to stage their actions in a major American metropolitan area where they were more likely to gain media attention. They targeted the financial backers of the project instead of the company directly responsible for the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The protesters were made up of various subgroups who held similar views but joined together to add mass to their action. They were actually protesting a wide range of topics from violence against women, deforestation, protecting endangered species, and climate change. The Biblical worldview on the environment is based on covenant, mutual accountably, and responsibility between God and man. Power should be shared between different spheres in society such as individuals, communities, businesses, and government. All of the spheres have individual authority and are accountable to each other. While the government may have a role in environmental and energy policy it should not have all of the authority. Christians should be accountable and concerned about the environment and understand that it and natural resources are a gift from God and should be used