Preview

To Drill or Not to Drill

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
521 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To Drill or Not to Drill
To Drill or not to Drill

Hum 111
April 10, 2011

To Drill or not to Drill

Foreign oil has been a thorn in the side of America. President Barack Obama has made it one of his priorities to invest in clean fuel and new energy technologies. We have been depending on foreign fuel for years; we don’t have very many options as we don’t produce enough oil in the United States for our needs. The president is looking out for the best interest of the planet and the American public in regards to clean energy.

It is hard to break tradition or a habit. Developing alternatives as it relates to oil to produce gasoline or the use of solar power and wind can have a huge impact on a number of things. By investing in clean energy ultimately will slow down the process of Global Warming. Also we will not have the astronomical cost of fuel passed on to the consumer as we see it currently approaching $5 per gallon. Consumers don’t understand that this will have an impact on our economy if we can’t find other sources of energy or fuel. Consumers will start changing their habits when spending money on things now that we have higher fuel cost.

Many people and politicians think that the cost of exploring alternative energy sources is too expensive and that we can just continue to drill where we are currently and explore other areas that we have not been to such as Alaska. Every so many years we seem to have an oil disaster like the Deepwater Horizon or the recent disaster in the Louisiana Gulf Coast. It has been shown and proven that companies such as British Petroleum operate unsafely and don’t care about our environment. If we keep drilling for oil and keep having accidents nobody can tell what effect this will have on the local economy that it affects. Also these companies will want to keep punishing the consumers buy charging more for fuel to clean up their mistakes.

What hinders me is that some of these politicians and big companies do not care about the Earth



References: Elkind, Whitford, P. (2011, Febuary). An Accident Waiting To Happen. BP Deepwater Horizon Exsplosion & Oil Spill 2010, 163(2), 105-132, 19. Johnson, Stehon, A. (2010, June). White House Loses Battle Against Offshore Drilling But Vows To Win War. Offshore oil drilling, 101(26), 4-32,2p.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Domestic Oil Drilling

    • 1695 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In essence the answer might seem that more domestic oil drilling should be done; however the problem is not as simple as it may seem. There are many advocates for increased oil drilling; from politicians, to the oil industry, and economist. The people advocating for increased domestic drilling proclaim the benefits of increased jobs, less dependency on foreign oil, and the money savings that would entail. Critics for increased drilling include environmentalist and other economists. These critics feel that increased domestic drilling would have a minimal impact on prices and that the economic damage would be substantial. To figure out which side of the issue you might feel is correct, it is important to take in facts from both sides of the issue.…

    • 1695 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, has been a hot topic of debate in the United States of America since its inception in 1947 and first well drill in 1949. The United States was the first country to perform hydraulic fracturing to tap into a previously unavailable resource, natural gases deep underground in very small micro veins that spider web across a large area. The concerns are, and have included, most importantly health concerns and tax revenues. Controversy and a big difference between the local citizens and the oil companies has brought this topic to a heated debate. Citizens become increasingly concerned about health issues and damaged environments. Therefore discussing these subjects is becoming increasingly difficult.…

    • 2231 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hum-111 Week 2 Assignment

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages

    My view on the subject of looking for more oil by drilling in places that have not been checked before is it is unnecessary. If the companies that put such effort toward blocking attempts to phase in more alternative sources for power put the effort into developing these alternatives sources the world would be much healthier. The oil industry is one of the richest and most powerful industries in the world today and this industry is fighting against the change to cleaner and more environmentally safe energy alternatives. The reason for the oil industry to resist this change is pure greed. The industry stands to lose a great deal of money if the United States government phases out the use of fossil fuels.…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Rodman D. Griffin’s article entitled “Alternative Energy: Can Renewable Energy Sources Replaces Fossil Fuels?” is about alternative methods of getting energy. The article goes into great detail of how America has gone into such an increase in using oil and other non-renewable resources. America spends billions of dollars a year on oil and gas to fuel the countries working class. This was incorporated in my paper along with other facts that Griffin uses throughout his article. His article gave me insight to the crisis that we face everyday and a new wave of thinking when it comes to alternative energy.…

    • 2056 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Drill or Not to Drill

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I think that this is a very difficult question to have to answer. I can see where both sides are coming from because in one sense drilling off the coast and in the Gulf of Mexico would help save our country money because we would not have to buy our oil from other countries. I also think it is somewhat of a good idea because if we were to drill here instead of buying our oil from other countries it would help provide more jobs for Americans which we really need. I also believe that on the other hand it would be better to continue buying our oil from other countries because drilling off the coast here could easily cause water pollution and could kill our water animals. “People concerned about the environmental damage drilling can cause are outraged.”(Should We Drill, Scholastic News-Edition 5/6, 4/26/2010, vol. 78 Issue 22, p4-5, 2p)I would say if I had to pick a side I would have to say that we should continue to buy our oil from foreign countries because I feel like we have too much at stake if we drill ourselves. I think that after the BP oil spill and with the people that died and as bad as it polluted our water that we really should not take any chances. “Environmentalists criticize the administration for re-opening deep water drilling even though the technical problems that led to the gulf oil spill have not been fixed.”(Deep Water Oil Drilling: why Obama is okay with angering left and right, Mark Clayton, Christian Science Monitor, 1/26/2012, pN.PAG, 1p)If I had to pick some of the key habits that are hindering my decision on what side to take in this matter, they would be that if we drill on our own soil it could do a lot of damage to our waters and the animals that occupy them. I also believe that we should save our oil for when our earths oil supply is getting low because then we still have ours left to use when we need it. In order to overcome the habits that are hindering my decision I would have to be…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Throughout his presidential campaign, and since taking office in January 2009, President Barack Obama has pushed forward his agenda to free America from dependency on foreign oil. A growth of green jobs is predicted in the coming years as new technologies, such as solar power and clean coal, are pursued and expanded. Meanwhile, many people and opposing politicians believe this is an unnecessary and expensive push. They state we could just continue drilling off the Gulf Coast, Alaska, and other areas within our country that are currently not being explored. I have made the decision that President Obama choice is a much better choice because this will make the economic better in the future. Yes, it may be very expensive but in the future it will be better. After spending the money needed for accomplishing the goal to free America from dependency on foreign oil and also adding jobs I feel that we will be able to earn more money. Drilling on any land will decrease soon because of the scientists are figure out ways to use green products in every way to stop pollution in the world with things like solar power cars, solar energy lights and clean coal usage instead of using oil.…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The world, as we know it, is in the midst of having an oil crisis. Our nation starves and bends at the will of this dreadful calamity. Our deprivation for this atrocious corruption has led us to look for oil deposits in the Alaskan Wilderness. The US needs oil and by drilling for oil on our own land, we would help our economy, but in doing so would destroy the beauty of the wilderness and harm many others. The matter on hand is that should we drill for oil in Alaska’s wilderness? My opinion and answer to this question would simply be no. The United States of America should not drill for oil in the Alaskan wilderness.…

    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    of recoverable natural gas. Now why is America purchasing it from other countries? Also the United States can be drilling for oil in the Outer Continental Shelf instead of dumping money into Venezuela and countries in the Middle East. McCain wants to go after these domestic sources of fuel America relies on while alternate fuels and vehicles are being developed. Obama has no plans of where or how to get fuel for America until…

    • 823 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The problem is that even we have a sense of what we are doing, we are still unwilling to change our behavior, and according to McKibben, it’s all about the money. Some companies not willing to give up their profits on fossil fuels; in addition, the existing fossil fuel infrastructures worth at least 10 trillion, which takes 10-50 years to be paid off. And again,…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    It is now popular to be environmentally conscious in American society. It is completely acknowledged by the populace that oil will, indeed, run out within a lifetime, leaving a demand for a different kind of energy source. Hybrid cars, such as the Prius are now mainstream, recycling is day-to-day, finding organic fruits, vegetables, and meat is as easy as walking to the nearest grocery store, and using plastic bags has been deemed unacceptable. Global warming, while debated and questioned by conservative policymakers has generally been accepted as fact by the population. With any movement, fad, or great change, a great number of people –including corporate media -- want to jump on board the Green Revolution. This is a money making opportunity, and while some companies have good and progressive intentions, there are many that do not. Americans are being purposefully mislead and lied to by corporations that use the false advertising method of Greenwashing.…

    • 3155 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Usually people who own a large company or politicians have intentions of trying to help their friends or company instead of America as a whole. Thus the politicians are unwilling to change the direction of the oil industry or make solar\wind farms. However changes have to be made and they need to be made soon because the environment is suffering extremely due to our current rate of destruction. Throughout the century oil drilling caused huge catastrophes in the environment. There are hundreds of examples where a crude oil tanker crashes somewhere in the ocean, and most recently a “BP drilling rig in the gulf of Mexico exploded and sent billions of gallons of oil into the gulf”. Even though these catastrophes could have been adverted if we started researching for renewable energy sources earlier, the rich people and politicians favored getting more money than…

    • 1079 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The topic of drill or not to drill is a big topic. Some believe that we have plenty of resources now and that we should save them for later generations that may need them more than we do. Instead they think we should invest in alternative sources of energy, such as solar power and wind. Others believe that we should go ahead and use the resources that we have available to use, starting with the untapped oil fields in Alaska and in the Gulf Coast, and even all the other areas in the country that have not been explored. Others say trying to obtain new power sources will be very expensive and a long process. I can honestly say that I agree with both sides but I am in favor of the United States using all the resources they have and not trying to come up with new way to power America. A new way to power America is not a bad idea just not the one we need to fix our problem. Solar panels and windmills still should be worked on for the future of America, but as for the present we should use all our oil resources.…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At present, fossil fuels are readily accessible. These fuels are easy to use, and a simple combustion procedure turns them into energy for running a vehicle, generating electricity and/or heat. Fossil fuels are currently a cheap source of energy and so are the methods of producing energy from them. With our present distribution networks, we can get fossil fuels of all kinds around the world. That makes it easy to employ them, no matter where you are. Thus, there is a huge dependence of fossil fuels. That means, as energy is running out, everyone will suffer the consequences. Not only will it raise the demand and price, but will also affect the political stand point of each nation- especially, the third world countries. As the demand of energy increases and the supply becomes more limited, nations will be competing for energy. Therefore, the focus will be less on innovation and more on gaining control over the remaining fossil fuels. Furthermore, as the cost increases, the process of innovation will slow down and seeking new form of energy will be expensive. Inevitably, fuel will ran out, our country will eventually have to choose between paying to continue the status quo and investing in a new form of energy for the future. Hence, making a decision now instead of waiting 25 years will only give a head start in finding alternative ways that will replenish the dwindling supply of energy today.…

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Industrial Revolution was the beginning of a new era in human history. Thanks to this, many countries were able to experience economic growth at a rate never seen before. Unfortunately, it has brought an unforeseen consequence that today has been taken for granted. Because of lacking regulation laws during the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution, we now face the worst environmental crisis of all time. As a result, the planet is experiencing an increase in temperatures around the world. However, nothing is all lost, yet. With renewable energy, among other things, it’s possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, therefore reversing the damage we have done to the planet.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Environmental Science

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The future of the US energy policy must be different than our current system in place. The way the US funds energy sources and uses its energy will lead to drastic consequences in the environment and the way future generations live. Climatologists and environmentalists have warned society that the earth is warning for quite some time. They’ve emphasized the need to steer away from fossil fuels and develop alternative ways of energy. These environmental experts predict that if heavy changes aren’t made, the Earth’s average temperature may rise 2 degrees Celsius by 2030 (Kuo, 2011). Our country’s energy system has improved since the 1970s, but still relies on oil, coal, and natural gas (Fri, 2013). Increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases at such a high rate are enough incentive to switch energy sources. The US energy policy is currently not suitable to sustain a practical future. There are other, better methods of obtaining energy. The US must execute a plan to make a transition for a cleaner energy policy.…

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays