There is a controversy remaining on drilling in ANWR which stands for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Many are against drilling for the sake of our wildlife and many are for drilling because of their interest in our economy. I am against drilling because the refuge would cover 19 million acres and the oil could damage most of it (Source 2). Overall destroying most of our arctic wildlife and their habitat would be polar bears, grizzlies, Arctic wolves, caribou, the jeopardized shaggy musk ox and arctic tree lines.
If we drill in Alaska we could see a repeat of the gulf of Mexico oil spill from 2010, eleven people died and 82,000 birds and almost 26,000 marine mammals were killed or injured (Source 1). That could very well happen in Alaska except there is a possibility that even more animals would be killed.If you have ever watched a show on Alaskan wildlife you will understand because the creatures there are truly amazing.
Yes Alaska has oil but experts say that Alaskan oil will only give us a six month supply. Studies show that drilling in Alaska only reduces imports by 4%. Is 4% of oil imports worth killing hundreds of thousands of plants and animals(Source 3, Doc B). After the oil spill in the gulf how could it possibly be worth it?
Alternative energy is the answer; we can’t keep using fossil fuels as our main energy. Especially when we could run out of fossil fuels in as soon as 60 years (Source 3, Doc C). Although we haven’t perfected fossil fuels, it is the future of travel. If we can find a way to perfect electric or solar cars we will save many lives and resources.
All in all we should stop the people who want to drill in Alaska. This state is just too beautiful to ruin for such a small benefit. If we drill in Alaska people will regret that they ruined this astonishing sanctuary. The animals won’t exactly be too fond of it either.
Source 1- "Gulf Disaster." Center for Biological Diversity. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/program
Source 2- Starr, Penny. "New Study Shows That Offshore Drilling Could Make Alaska the Eighth Largest Oil Producer in the World – Ahead of Libya and Nigeria | CNSNews.com." CNSNews.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2012. <http://cnsnews.com/news/article/new-study-shows-offshore-drilling-could-make-alaska-eighth-largest-oil-producer-world>.
Source 3- Should we drill in alaka's wilderness." Should we drill in alaka's wilderness. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. <http://lake.k12.fl.us/16722057105751950/lib/16722057105751950/_files/Alaskan_Oil-Student_Packet.pdf>.
