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Article Series: Global Warming
Global Warming & Climate Change -
What Do I Need To Know?
Environmental
Concerns - Don't Drill in Alaska
The
debate on whether or not to allow drilling in Alaska has
been a political hot potato for decades. Although
it is home to one of the largest oil fields in the country,
it is also home to a vast amount of protected wildlife. Since
the energy crisis in the late 70s the debate between political
groups and Alaskan citizens over drilling in Alaska has waged
on at a fever pitch. The recent surge in fuel prices has brought
the matter to more and more US citizen’s attention. We are
constantly looking for other places to obtain our fuel and
Alaska is in our own back yard! However, the wildlife presents
quite a dilemma for us. Many are opposed to drilling in Alaska
for environmental reasons and have legitimate reason for their
concerns.
The main concern amongst natives of Alaska is that drilling
on shore will eventually lead to off shore exploration. The
natives of Alaska are concerned that any off shore drilling
will disturb the migration of whales to Alaska. Bowhead whales
are an important part of the native culture, life and diet.
The Canadian government is concerned that any oil development
would disrupt the migratory patterns of Porcupine Caribou herd.
This presents a distinct problem because the United States
and Canada signed an agreement in 1987 that outlined protection
and conservation for the herd and their migratory routes. Additionally
there are other animals whose homes and habits would be affected
by drilling. Birds, fish, and polar bears--the list goes on.
Scientists believe that it will disrupt the entire natural
chain in that region which could lead to detestation for the
native people and their culture.
Many scientists also believe that the development of industry
in this untouched area of the world will have severely
adverse effects on the cultural survival of the native populations that have survived and flourished in Alaska thus far. Theses
communities rely heavily on the wildlife and the natural surroundings
of Alaska for their survival and subsistence. The indigenous
populations of Alaska fear oil spills will pollute their waterways
again and cause irreversible harm to their beautiful untouched
homeland. Additionally, to many of the indigenous people much
of Alaska is considered sacred ground. Which means that we
would be interrupting not only wildlife and culture, but a
religious part of their lives as well.
Scientists also worry about the effects that oil technologies
would have on the climate and tundra. It is noted that regardless
of the fact that drilling is not currently taking place in
certain areas, the effects of global warming alone are creating
great changes. With no major industry, currently the effects
of industry elsewhere are melting glaciers, raising temperatures
and building up pollution in Alaska already. Many are concerned
of the increased effect that local drilling would have on these
already troubling issues.
It
is also noted by many environmentalists and scientists that
drilling in Alaska would only further delay our inevitable
need to focus on alternative energy sources. Many people think
that instead of disrupting the nature in Alaska, we should
spend more time in the labs developing ways to heat our homes
and power our cars other than oil. The amount of oil in the
Alaskan reserves is highly debated, but still minimal at best
and would not lead to a limitless or lengthy supply, however
the effects of our exploration and drilling efforts would be
long term and permanent unlike the fuel source. Scientists
raise the point that we should invest in research and conversion
to alternative fuel method rather than investing in a temporary
solution that bares potential for other environmental problems.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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