The rich vegetation from dead plants and animals below the rock in the coastal waters of the Southeastern, United States are a prime target for oil and gas companies to set up camp and drill/mine the Atlantic Ocean. The oil and gas industry would prefer that the public perceive their quest as the only alternative to provide the fuel and energy our country requires to effectively progress and survive per the oil and gas industry. “Oil and natural gas touch our lives in countless ways every day. Together, they supply more than 60 percent of our nation’s energy” (API), but oil and gas are not the only solution to meet these energy demands. Offshore drilling has existed since 1894, when H.L. Williams began drilling for oil off an extended wooden prier in the …show more content…
Santa Barbara Channel in California (Aoghs). Today offshore drill sites are floating cities in the middle of the ocean that engage in a form of drilling known as “fracking” which involves “drilling into thick layers of rock that are housing the vast deposits of liquid, gas and solid petroleum. The next step is directing a high – pressure water mixture (water, sand & chemicals) to create new pathways for oil/gas to be released” (BBC). A few of the advantages to this method are that it allows drilling to reach difficult to reach resources of oil and gas. However, there are a multitude of concerns to do with fracking such as requiring the use of “carcinogenic chemicals to pave the way for the oil/gases to reach the surface that may escape and contaminate ground water around the site, may cause earth tremors, and distracts energy firms and governments from investing in renewable sources of energy” (BBC).
The clear transition to “do away with the human need to depend on oil and gas is to move forward to develop more offshore wind power stations that not only produce twice as much energy as oil and gas and create four times as many jobs”(Hill). Off shore wind is a child compared to oil and gas but does boast almost twenty five years experience with a proven track record that began in Vindeby, Denmark. “It was ground-breaking at the time and heavily influenced offshore wind development” (South). Hence, ten years later the Oceana foundation was established “exclusively to protect and restore the oceans on a global scale”. Their mission is to encourage offshore wind energy and assist in halting further offshore mining/drilling namely in the Atlantic Ocean which directly aids the coastal waters of the Southeastern, United States. Oceana has predicted the
following: • Over the next 20 years, offshore wind could create 91,000 more jobs than offshore drilling along the entire Atlantic Coast -- about twice as many. • In 13 years, offshore wind could generate more energy than could be provided by all of the economically recoverable oil and gas resources off the Atlantic Coast. In 20 years, wind could produce more than twice the energy of drilling. • Along the Atlantic Coast, nearly 1.4 million jobs -- mostly in fishing, tourism and recreation -- depend on healthy ocean ecosystems that are imperiled by offshore drilling, which has caused 11 spills of at least 50 barrels (2,100 gallons) in the U.S. alone from 2011 to 2013 (Oceana). Furthermore, the clear path of the future is renewable energy not “fossil fuels that draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. In contrast, the many types of renewable energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-are constantly replenished and will never run out” (World). Ian Joughin, said it best in a recent New York Times article “what right do we have to do things that, even if they don’t affect us, are going to be someone else’s problem a thousand years from now?” Indeed, offshore mining/drilling in the coastal water of the Southeastern United States is a possible choice to “boost domestic oil production and drive down gas prices and assist in generating electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal” (BBC) but is not the only option to support mankind and their need to fuel the world. Offshore drilling is not the wave of the future. Rather the only responsible selection that does not destruct our environment must be offshore wind energy to not only protect the coastal waters of the Southeastern United States but the planet as a whole.
With concern over global warming growing, people are starting to turn a more serious eye toward cleaner sources of energy. Instead of solar power making a comeback as the ideal form, we are seeing a growth in the use of wind power. Wind farms are beginning to crop up all around the country. This new trend has gathered significant attention. Questions are being raised concerning the effects wind farms may have, from critics and supporters alike. Michelle Nijhuis, in the article “Selling the Wind” discusses the arguments on behalf of and in opposition to the increasing use of wind power, addressing what the consequences may be on the United States.
The Keystone XL pipeline continues dividing the opinion of the people and being a controversial issue. The precious “black gold”, represents one of the main factors that moves the economy, nationally and globally. This extra-long pipeline will transport oil all the way from Canada to Texas. Some experts and the private oil corporation, who is the one in charge of this project, point to the benefits of this project, for example, will make the USA more independent from foreign oil, will create thousands of jobs and improve the economy. Nevertheless, are experts revealing how the pipeline is an unnecessary risk and will be negative for the environment, dangerous for the population living close to the big pipes, and long-term negative for the
The United States has had several scares throughout its history in terms of oil, most turn out to be over exaggerations of a small event. However, these scares highlight a massive issue with the U.S. and that issue is the U.S.’s dependence on foreign oil. Why does it matter that our oil should come from over seas? In a healthy economy this probably wouldn’t be as relevant, but the U.S.’s economy is not exactly healthy at the moment. There are 4 things that I would like to address: what the problem is, how it affects us, what some solutions are, and what solutions I feel are best.
...gy can successfully replace oil. Just as oil will not run out overnight, its replacement will be equally gradual. The success of this transition is largely contingent on time management. Presently, there is no nation privy to a miracle solution. A bulk of available alternative energy sources are not self sufficient, and require oil to jump start their production. Solar panels, while a step in the right direction, are built in factories, shipped in trucks, flown in planes dependent on oil. Oil needs to be conserved, reserved solely for uses that will benefit future generations, such as creating green energy products. As long as there exists a shadow of a doubt as to the inevitability of peak oil, the existence of debate serves not only as an obstacle, but as a cause for hope. When everyone is forced to acknowledge the peak oil issue, it may very well be too late.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a widespread practice in the United States. Fracking is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens report detrimental side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has set a two year moratorium on fracking, so that more research can be done to show the impacts of fracking on the environment. Nationwide, many other cities and counties have banned fracking as well. All states should look into finding alternative sources of energy, instead of using devastating practices like fracking to extract non-renewable resources.
"This war was brought upon us by the children of the Great Father who came to take our land from us without price.". This is a quote said by Lakota Tribal chief, Spotted Tail. Regarding the treaty that agreed a promise between the White men and the Native Americans, stating that they would have the right to their land. Although, overtime this treaty was broken by the government. As of today, history repeats itself as the Native Americans fight for their land and water. Dakota Access Pipeline plans to build a new pipeline that will ship over 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day. Moreover, pipelines and the oil itself, are known to be dangerous to the environment are factors to Global Warming. Be that as it may, the US Army Corps approved this
“The conversation of our natural resources and their proper use underlines almost every other problem in our national life,” Theodore Roosevelt. Americans’ dependence upon petroleum-based energy sources has required the United States to consider a variety of options to fulfill [the] ever-increasing energy needs, even drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [ANWR] (Smith). The controversial question on whether or not to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge reserve has been in battle since its establishment. Drilling in ANWR would cause severe damage as it is a danger to its native plants and animals as the land is their home and birthing ground, the land discussed to be open to drilling will not be the only land set to a path of destruction, and along with the use and distribution of the oil found, as of how much could be discovered and if it is worth losing precious land all to a nations greed of oil.
Imagine having a loved one with cancer, organ damage, nervous system disorders, or your child having birth defects. Imagine running out of clean water because the only water available is capable of catching fire. Imagine oil in rivers and animals losing their homes. See yourself caught in an earthquake where there should not be one. All of this is increased by fracking and can be prevented. The question is should fracking continue or should it be banned.
Fracking is a highly controversial practice that utilizes the injection of water, chemicals and abrasives to extract relatively inaccessible pockets of natural resources. Although fracking has the potential to benefit the economy, it may also pose a significant impact on the environment, the ecosystem and safety.
In 2010, roughly 25 percent of the nation’s energy came from natural gas, a “fossil fuel” which American consumers and businesses heavily depend on for transport, light, and heat (Squire 6). As the U.S. population increases, so do the country’s energy needs. Political debate over how the U.S. can meet those needs has slowly simmered for several decades, escalating exponentially when the energy supply grows short. Disputes over just how clean natural gas is, as opposed to coal, dominate headlines and presidential campaigns alike. During the presidency of George W. Bush, a bill exempting oil and gas companies from federal environmental restrictions was passed, thus paving the way for natural gas companies to expand production across the nation utilizing a new drilling technology, enabling easier extraction of shale gas. The drilling process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has become synonymous with controversy. Why? Fracking involves injecting dangerously toxic chemicals, mixed with large quantities of water and sand, into wells at extremely high pressure, to release natural gas. Promoted by the natural gas industry as a cleaner, safer alternative to coal, the process of fracking has made shale gas plentiful, which sounds to some Americans as the best answer to their energy prayers. However, the negative consequences associated with the extraction of natural gas through fracking, including environmental hazards and threats to public health, far outweigh the benefits.
Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as, oil, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medications, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are huge and significant, as well. Fishing and fish products have provided employment to 38 million people and have generated about $124 billion in economic benefits. However, oceans are on the verge of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy, and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and acidification. Thus, in this essay I will argue that, oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of the ocean threatens the health of humanity, since oceans key to our survival.
Bowermaster, Jon. Oceans: The Threats to Our Seas and What You Can Do to Turn the Tide: A Participant Media Guide. New York: PublicAffairs, 2010. Print.
One new idea is to build wind turbines offshore in the mid-Atlantic. Offshore building of wind turbines means that these large turbines will be placed in the Atlantic Ocean. The building of these wind turbines will provide energy to states like Maryland, Delaware, New York, Virginia, and New Jersey. These states want to start this project as soon as possible so that the states can start saving money. Since these regions right now are burning fossil fuels uncontrollably with incredible impacts (not only to our air, but to our health), it is crucial to start right away.
The wind is an incredibly valuable renewable energy source and is in the forefront of renewable energy developments. It is used to convert wind energy into energy that can be harnessed and used via a variety of methods, including; wind turbines, windmills, sails and windpumps. For a renewable energy source, however, it is wind turbines that are used to generate electricity (see figure 1). Wind power has been used for this since the end of the nineteenth century, after Professor James Blyth of the Royal College of Science and Technology first attempted it (Boyle, 2012). However, It wasn’t until the 1980s that using wind power technology was sufficient enough to experience a rapid growth of the technology.
Wind is a form of solar energy. The term wind energy describes the process by which the wind is used to generate electricity or mechanical power. Wind turbines convert mechanical energy from the wind into electrical power. Wind turbines usually have three main parts. There are blades that connect to a central hub, a box behind the blades that contains the generator, and a long stem that connects to the ground. The way how it works is that the wind turns the blades, which spins a shaft that connects to a generator making electricity. After the electricity is produced it is sent through transmission lines to a substation that is sent to business and homes. For the sake of our planet, we must promote a renewable energy economy. Wind power can be a foundation of that sustainable energy future because it provides jobs in states that are building wind turbines, is a renewable energy source, and does not damage our environment. The environment will not be damaged by the pollution, the natural resources will not be used up, and there won’t be generating of hazardous wastes. Welcoming wind energy today will lay the foundation for a healthy tomorrow that will affect everyone in the United States. There are obstacles and challenges that will make it more difficult, but the environmental impact is well worth it to invest more money into wind energy.