Picture this. A vision of the coast. Except it is lifeless and abandoned and coated with oil. A place that once attracted people and animals alike. That is the future if offshore oil drilling continues. Crude oil has been a prominent industry since the late 19th century. In today 's world, the demand for oil has reached an all time high. Therefore, the desperate search for more fuel has prompted the exploitation of oil resources through methods such as offshore oil drilling. Offshore oil drilling is the method of extracting oil from the seabed of oceans. The possibility of drilling having an effect in lowering the demand for oil, despite the immense risk it carries for surrounding environments makes it an extremely controversial topic (Horton).
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Endangered animals such as the seaturtle or the polar bear are especially vulnerable to the effects of oil. Should they become extinct, they will be wiped out of our planet, permanently. Furthermore, habitats such as the fragile coral reefs, will be forever changed from the oil released by offshore oil drilling. In addition to providing shelter, food, and protection to organisms, as well as being ecological treasures that large industries such as fishing rely on, habitats like coral reefs should not be placed at risk by oil drilling. Not only does direct contact with oil destroy the coral, but also even with clean up attempts, large traces of oil can still be found. As a result, any habitats damaged by oil do not fully recover, if at all. ("Coral Reefs and Oil Spills"). All of these factors combine to eradicate entire ecosystems (Oceana). Therefore, the immense quantity of oil released from offshore oil drilling poses a large risk to the wildlife and their valuable habitats. Also, the large quantity of air pollution released while oil drilling deals significant harm to the atmosphere. According to Culture Change, an organization dedicated to lowering petroleum consumption, "a single offshore oil rig... pollute[s] the …show more content…
According to u.s. energy information administration, “from the start of 2007 through the end of 2012, the oil and natural gas industry increased by more than 162,000 jobs; a 40% increase” (EIA). Offshore oil drilling would therefore provide employment opportunities. Even though offshore drilling provides employment opportunities, according to Stephen Lacey from Climate Progress, the editor of a website that provides news regarding the climate and the earth, “361,000 tourism and recreation jobs in florida, plus about 9,000 commercial fishing jobs… would be put at risk by drilling” (Climate Change). In reality, offshore oil drilling ironically creates employment opportunities, not only through damaging the environment, but also by risking already existing jobs. As stated before, oil drilling causes adverse harm to coastal waters, which leads to the tourism and fishing industry being damaged. As a result, already existing jobs are placed in jeopardy because of offshore drilling. In addition, any jobs generated by oil drilling are dwarfed, in comparison to the massive amount of jobs created by the fishing and tourism industry (Climate Change). Likewise, according to quest offshore resources, “by 2035, offshore oil and natural gas development...could contribute up to 23.5 billion per year to the U.S economy and generate 51 billion in cumulative government revenue” (Quest
Endangered animals such as the seaturtle or the polar bear are especially vulnerable to the effects of oil. Should they become extinct, they will be wiped out of our planet, permanently. Furthermore, habitats such as the fragile coral reefs, will be forever changed from the oil released by offshore oil drilling. In addition to providing shelter, food, and protection to organisms, as well as being ecological treasures that large industries such as fishing rely on, habitats like coral reefs should not be placed at risk by oil drilling. Not only does direct contact with oil destroy the coral, but also even with clean up attempts, large traces of oil can still be found. As a result, any habitats damaged by oil do not fully recover, if at all. ("Coral Reefs and Oil Spills"). All of these factors combine to eradicate entire ecosystems (Oceana). Therefore, the immense quantity of oil released from offshore oil drilling poses a large risk to the wildlife and their valuable habitats. Also, the large quantity of air pollution released while oil drilling deals significant harm to the atmosphere. According to Culture Change, an organization dedicated to lowering petroleum consumption, "a single offshore oil rig... pollute[s] the …show more content…
According to u.s. energy information administration, “from the start of 2007 through the end of 2012, the oil and natural gas industry increased by more than 162,000 jobs; a 40% increase” (EIA). Offshore oil drilling would therefore provide employment opportunities. Even though offshore drilling provides employment opportunities, according to Stephen Lacey from Climate Progress, the editor of a website that provides news regarding the climate and the earth, “361,000 tourism and recreation jobs in florida, plus about 9,000 commercial fishing jobs… would be put at risk by drilling” (Climate Change). In reality, offshore oil drilling ironically creates employment opportunities, not only through damaging the environment, but also by risking already existing jobs. As stated before, oil drilling causes adverse harm to coastal waters, which leads to the tourism and fishing industry being damaged. As a result, already existing jobs are placed in jeopardy because of offshore drilling. In addition, any jobs generated by oil drilling are dwarfed, in comparison to the massive amount of jobs created by the fishing and tourism industry (Climate Change). Likewise, according to quest offshore resources, “by 2035, offshore oil and natural gas development...could contribute up to 23.5 billion per year to the U.S economy and generate 51 billion in cumulative government revenue” (Quest