How would the oceans change without offshore oil drilling? Oceans would be cleaner and would have more organisms. About twenty-seven oil spills occur daily (Nardo) and about twenty-five million gallons of oil spill each year (Yeardley). This is clearly a problem because all the organisms and the environment are in danger. Offshore oil drilling shouldn’t be allowed because it causes oil spills, harms nature, and contaminates water.
Offshore oil drilling cause oil spills. Oil spills threaten public health and safety. In addition, they cause fires and explosions, compromise agriculture, waste nonrenewable resources, harm and kill wildlife, and much more (Yeardley). Since 1859, eight hundred billion barrels of oil have been burned. The oil industry …show more content…
The main effects of oil spills on humans may be due to direct and indirect contact with the spill. Direct exposure is breathing in gaseous oil compounds or skin absorption when touching spilled material (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). Indirect exposure is consumption of contaminated food or water. The health effects of humans are anywhere from minor illnesses to serious conditions (including cancers) (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). Society and economics are also impacted by oil spills. Some impacts are long-term ceasing of activities (such as fishing in polluted waters), reduction of property value (depends on the magnitude of the oil spill), reduction of tourism (affected areas), as well as recreational and aesthetic impact (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). When precious crude oil or refined petroleum is lost, it affects the amount of petroleum or gas available for use (“Oil Spill”). Offshore oil drilling also affects people because it changes in different bodies of water. In many cases oil tends to float, but just because oil floats in saltwater doesn’t mean it will float in freshwater (“How is an Oil Spill in a River Different Than One in the Ocean?”). Density is the one to blame for this problem. Oil is less dense than saltwater (floats) and oil is more dense than freshwater (sinks). There are a lot of differences between river and oceans: for instance, rivers sometimes have dams, locks, etc. that slow down the movement of water
Offshore oil drilling cause oil spills. Oil spills threaten public health and safety. In addition, they cause fires and explosions, compromise agriculture, waste nonrenewable resources, harm and kill wildlife, and much more (Yeardley). Since 1859, eight hundred billion barrels of oil have been burned. The oil industry …show more content…
The main effects of oil spills on humans may be due to direct and indirect contact with the spill. Direct exposure is breathing in gaseous oil compounds or skin absorption when touching spilled material (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). Indirect exposure is consumption of contaminated food or water. The health effects of humans are anywhere from minor illnesses to serious conditions (including cancers) (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). Society and economics are also impacted by oil spills. Some impacts are long-term ceasing of activities (such as fishing in polluted waters), reduction of property value (depends on the magnitude of the oil spill), reduction of tourism (affected areas), as well as recreational and aesthetic impact (“Oil Spill Effect on Humans”). When precious crude oil or refined petroleum is lost, it affects the amount of petroleum or gas available for use (“Oil Spill”). Offshore oil drilling also affects people because it changes in different bodies of water. In many cases oil tends to float, but just because oil floats in saltwater doesn’t mean it will float in freshwater (“How is an Oil Spill in a River Different Than One in the Ocean?”). Density is the one to blame for this problem. Oil is less dense than saltwater (floats) and oil is more dense than freshwater (sinks). There are a lot of differences between river and oceans: for instance, rivers sometimes have dams, locks, etc. that slow down the movement of water