To Drill or Not to Drill HUM/114 October 25, 2010 To drill or not to drill is large debate that many Americans are not sure how to answer. Many people are upset about the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and have been discussing that we could invest in alternative sources of energy more, but without knowing the facts. Unfortunately, misfortunes like this happen all of the time, it is a part of life and all we can do is discover from our mistakes and move forward. One of the main complaints is that “Offshore drilling poses environmental risks. Yes the environmental danger of off shore drilling gradually has affected our wild lives and fish stocks. Researchers argue that this is not just a short-term effect because the remaining species can obtain new diseases and not be able to fight them because of lower heterozygosity index. In addition they are afraid that it will lead to the extinction of a variety of species. Due to today’s new technology that is continuously updated the new drilling rigs have considerably reduced the risk of potential accidents.
In the most recent situations that have occurred due to oil rigs BP being one and the Exxon Valdez accident in 1989 off the coast of Alaska being another. Researchers were able to discover that there were several factors that stacked up in order for these accidents to occur. Once of the main causes involved highly negligent practices such as strained workers, unfulfilled promises of advanced technology equipment and several safety regulation violations.
BP has been known to have an appalling track record concerning safety and has been fined 760 times in comparison to one of our leading oil drilling companies ExxonMobil, who has been only fined once and has had no incidents. Another argument is how long can we honestly rely on oil? In the long run researchers are saying that our dependence on oil must end entirely. This is most likely a true statement; however, it is reality that even with scrupulous development of these energy resources they are far from eing able to produce the energy needed in today’s world. I strongly support renewable energy, but researchers are a long way away from being able to convince us that it is possible much less feasible. As we stand the reality of the matter is that we do need additional energy and while scientist are in the process of getting all of the resources together, offshore drilling is a very sensible and practical way of obtaining energy.
I do realize that oil is not sustainable but believe until it is diminished we should continue using it in the most efficient way possible. References By: Stone, Brad; Williams, Elisa. Newsweek, 11/17/2003, Vol. 142 Issue 20, pE22-E25, 3p, 2 Color Photographs, 2 Diagrams; Reading Level (Lexile) By: Kintisch, Eli. Discover, Jan2007, Vol. 28 Issue 1, p20-23, 4p; Reading Level (Lexile) Congressional Digest, Sep2008, Vol. 87 Issue 7, p196-224, 4p By: Khermouch, Gerry.
Architectural Record, May2004, Vol. 192 Issue 5, p169-176, 6p, 4 Color Photographs, 1 Diagram; Reading Level (Lexile By: Dresselhaus, M. S. ; Thomas, I. L.. Nature, 11/15/2001, Vol. 414 Issue 6861, p332, 6p, 4 Color Photographs, 1 Diagram By: Hartley, Frank. Offshore, Feb2006, Vol. 66 Issue 2, p32-32, 1p, 1 Chart By: TARA MAC LEAN SWEENEY; SPECIAL STAFF ASSISTANT OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR; STATE OF ALASKA. FDCH Congressional Testimony, 03/12/2003
