Arctic Oil Drilling - 1508 Words

Gas prices are increasing roughly every month or so as a result of the scarcity of oil. Some people just shrug the price increase off and cope with it, but the economic effect is far greater than it first appears. As the price of oil increases, so does the price of all other products that are transported. There is, however, an opportunity for the United States to increase the supply of available crude oil by drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The idea of drilling in the Arctic has been controversial and to the present day is still being debated. The United States’ need to determine whether drilling in the Arctic will be a worthwhile consideration, or if there are not sufficient benefits to counteract the harmful†¦show more content†¦(Dickinson) Even with advanced technology at our fingertips, there is the potential for errors which could lead to oil spills. If a spill occurred in this region, the effects could be detrimental to the ocean. Oil and gas industries have plenty of experience and history of preventing oil spills, but they have â€Å"little experience in containing and cleaning up oil spills† (â€Å"Oil†). With the possibility of polluting the water, the plan for Arctic drilling loses the votes of all environmentalists, a group that is not to be trifled with. If authorization to drill in this region relied upon the approval of the environmentalists, it could be nearly impossible because of their strong lobbying power. The drilling is also viewed as a diversion to the country’s real dilemma, which is its disproportionately high rate of oil use. Americans guzzle up over twenty-five percent of the world’s total oil consumption. The United States should be working on making vehicles more fuel efficient so that a gallon of oil goes a long way rather than sucking the earth dry of all its oil. This fact, by itself, is seen as a more pertinent problem on which the country should focus instead of increasing available production. Another reason against the drilling in the Arctic region is that, even if the drilling is approved, there may not be as large yield as expected. All the statistics about how muchShow MoreRelatedThe Arctic Oil Drilling Industry2148 Words   |  9 PagesAbstract The Arctic oil drilling industry can be seen as one of the most driven economic gains and a step ahead for the country to become energy independence. Nonetheless, the price that comes with this gold liquor has shifted the country’s mission to harvest and provide a clean, eco-friendly energy. The continuous drilling processes come with negative impacts towards the areas involved: in this case, The Chukchi Sea, The Beaufort Sea and The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). In order to sustainRead MoreArctic National Wildlife Refuge : Drilling For Oil Essay1639 Words   |  7 PagesArctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, commonly referred to as ANWR has been the source of media and political controversy for the last twenty years and has only increased in recent years. President Eisenhower reserved this land in 1960 to preserve and protect the native and diverse plants and wildlife. When oil was discovered in the Prudhoe Bay a determined group consisting of large oil corporations, politicians and locals insisted that explorationRead More Should the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be opened to Oil Drilling?1544 Words   |  7 PagesDrilling oil in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a serious issue for environmentalists and for the future of the United States. Should the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be opened to oil drilling? This paper will debate whether or not we should allow Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to be opened to oil drilling. This will also show the impact it has on the environment, and I will show a critical ana lysis of the current issue of whether or not to drill. History Arctic NationalRead MoreThe Debate Over the Idea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge1480 Words   |  6 PagesIdea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Throughout American history, there have been a number of conflicts and disagreements among the populace over various issues. These conflicts of interest help to define political parties and allow people to distinguish themselves through party allegiance. One such item that is currently being debated is over the idea of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. For years, environmentalist groups and oil industryRead MoreOil Drilling in the Arctic1013 Words   |  5 PagesThe Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge is one of Americas last great wilderness areas. It is home to many animals such as polar bears, wolves, and grizzly bears, caribou herds, snow geese, musk oxen, and dozens of other species. If your oil companies keep drilling in the Arctic, most of these beautiful creatures will die, and some will become extinct. The Coastal Plain is home to these animals. Annually, a herd of 129,000 caribou gather on the Coastal Plain to bear and nurse their young. PolarRead MoreThe Arctic Oil Drilling Industry2152 Words   |  9 PagesAbstract The Arctic oil drilling industry provides promising aspects in terms of economic gains and energy independence. However, the negative effect from the industry should shift the country’s focus towards clean alternative energy. The large-scale human activities from the industry is causing environmental damage in the area, while the carbon emission and increase of soil acidity from the infrastructures in order to sustain the industry also lead to air and soil pollutions in the area that causeRead MoreOil Drilling Endangers Arctic National Wildlife Riches1374 Words   |  6 PagesOil Drilling Endangers Arctic National Wildlife Riches Can you imagine the grocery stores and restaurants in your neighborhood disappearing bit by bit? The oil drilling in North Slope Borough, Alaska, has affected 95,000-square miles of wildlife’s habitat. The development of oil industry takes away what is essential to the lives of the Gwich’in: the Caribou. Gwich’in villages rely on caribou to supply their food and clothes. As the oil industry develops in a close proximity to the Gwich’in villageRead MoreThe Importance Of Drilling For Oil In The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge723 Words   |  3 Pages Last week, Senate Republicans sparked an uproar from environmentalists and their Democratic allies after voting to raising revenue by drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast corner of Alaska. Though pushed for years by Alaskas congressional delegation, tapping that land, set aside for caribou herds and other wildlife, is still not a sure thing. The Senate, House and President Trump each need to agree to a budget proposal that sets up the prospect of a tax codeRead MoreArctic National Wildlife Refuge Should Be Protected From Oil Drilling920 Words   |  4 PagesPaper Assignment Subject Point of Significance Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Should be protected from oil drilling Dear President Barack Obama: As you may be aware, some of your Congressmen are wanting to drill for oil at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The main Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling article on Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, said that US House of Representative passed yet another bill to drill oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in February of 2012Read MoreAlaska Oil Drilling1301 Words   |  6 Pagesdegradation. An example that sheds light on the conflict between human interests and environmental responsibility is the controversial approval of the oil drilling in the Northern Slope region of Alaska and the drilling that has already began, in the Tar Sands of Alberta. In this paper I will firstly explain the situation regarding why the drilling for oil is up for debate to take place. Secondly I will assess the benefits and the irreparable damage that could possibly bring forth devastating effects