There has always been extreme debate over oil and gas drilling in Alaska. While some are convinced the drilling is making no negative effect on the environment and its inhabitants, others exist on the complete opposite side of the spectrum. The debate is understandable, and one must look at the facts.
The federal government is expected to begin sales of drilling leases in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. But it's not a big deal because they are only selling 30 MILLION ACRES of Alaskan sea in the name of oil. More importantly, most of this area is critical to the survival of polar bears.
However, environmentalists and Alaskan Natives cannot decide on whether or not to list polar bears under the endangered species act (ESA). The reason for this is because a conservative law-firm known as the Pacific Legal Foundation is ready to pounce and attack, "any arbitrary, unjustified ESA listing." A bitter court battle could possibly ensue.
Studies show that in recent decades the polar bear population has increased dramatically. There are estimates that as few as 5,000 polar bears existed in the 1950s. But keep in mind, that was a time when hunting polar bears was legal and acceptable. Now that polar bear hunting is regulated, as many as 25,000 polar bears exist. Unfortunately, we are still 60 percent below historic levels of polar bears.
U.S Geological Survey scientists say drilling 30 million acres of Alaskan sea will result in the loss of about two thirds of the world's polar bear population by 2050. In a letter to congress last week, a group of more than 600 scientists said, "Global warming is already causing serious damage to wildlife and ecosystems, and reliable projections call for significant additional damage and disruptions."
Legislative director for the Alaska Wilderness League, Kristin Miller, says the Mineral's Management Service has admitted there will be a substantial likelihood of oil spills in the Chukchi Sea. She adds that, "There is no proven method to clean up an oil spill in the Arctic's broken sea ice, or even to reliably clean up a spill in open water."
I'm not exactly sure how anyone could think that drilling is not harmful to the environment. We obviously have to encounter the death of thousands of polar bears by the mid-century to be convinced. But even then, I doubt the federal government will care much. Coca-Cola better come up with another animal to feature in their winter ads!
Watch The Young Turks
The federal government is expected to begin sales of drilling leases in Alaska's Chukchi Sea. But it's not a big deal because they are only selling 30 MILLION ACRES of Alaskan sea in the name of oil. More importantly, most of this area is critical to the survival of polar bears.
However, environmentalists and Alaskan Natives cannot decide on whether or not to list polar bears under the endangered species act (ESA). The reason for this is because a conservative law-firm known as the Pacific Legal Foundation is ready to pounce and attack, "any arbitrary, unjustified ESA listing." A bitter court battle could possibly ensue.
Studies show that in recent decades the polar bear population has increased dramatically. There are estimates that as few as 5,000 polar bears existed in the 1950s. But keep in mind, that was a time when hunting polar bears was legal and acceptable. Now that polar bear hunting is regulated, as many as 25,000 polar bears exist. Unfortunately, we are still 60 percent below historic levels of polar bears.
U.S Geological Survey scientists say drilling 30 million acres of Alaskan sea will result in the loss of about two thirds of the world's polar bear population by 2050. In a letter to congress last week, a group of more than 600 scientists said, "Global warming is already causing serious damage to wildlife and ecosystems, and reliable projections call for significant additional damage and disruptions."
Legislative director for the Alaska Wilderness League, Kristin Miller, says the Mineral's Management Service has admitted there will be a substantial likelihood of oil spills in the Chukchi Sea. She adds that, "There is no proven method to clean up an oil spill in the Arctic's broken sea ice, or even to reliably clean up a spill in open water."
I'm not exactly sure how anyone could think that drilling is not harmful to the environment. We obviously have to encounter the death of thousands of polar bears by the mid-century to be convinced. But even then, I doubt the federal government will care much. Coca-Cola better come up with another animal to feature in their winter ads!
Watch The Young Turks
