Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Improved Essays
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) sits on what we might call a pot of black gold; a reported 7 billion barrels of oil can be found here (Primack), and we can find a lot of debates online regarding the ANWR. On one side the oil industry’s potential role in accessing the land, pulling this resource out for the benefit of the energy independence and economic growth of North America. On the other side of the debate is the protection of this majestic beauty of the vast grasslands and herds that live in this refuge and the ugliness and loss of biodiversity that will occur if or when drilling activities are allowed. The question that I think we need to address in forming our opinion on this topic is how we weigh the value of the competing …show more content…
This land, isolated, and primarily untouched, is abundant with wildlife and considered a National Treasure. Currently the ANWR does not see the same needs that other refuge areas face due to the human activities that occur within them such as hunting and fishing, grazing, logging, and mining. The ANWR is to its benefit is too remote to be promoted for tourism and its economic values for timber and oil resources. Home to 19 million acres, 37 mammal species, eight marine mammals, 42 species of fish, and 200 + migratory bird species this wildlife refuge it is a natural wonderland, (Defenders of Wildlife). The oil industry is not the only threat to this area, the species are being forced to adjust to the changing climate. Those in the area that have adapted to the cold, ice, and snow are at that greatest threat to the warming climate. Those subject to the greatest challenges include the caribou, Dall sheep, Alaska marmot, lynx, wolverine, arctic ground squirrel, singing vole, northern bog lemming, and the tundra and barren ground shrew, all facing decreasing numbers in the next 25-35 years, (Defenders of Wildlife) due to climate change alone, the impacts of increased traffic to the area and land disturbance due to oil drilling will only compound the issues these mammals face …show more content…
But the decisions are just not that easy. Preserving the natural beauty and the species comes at a cost to the people and drilling a cost to the land and its inhabitants. Though there is no easy side to take one important point can be made to support not drilling in this refuge. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 7.08 billion barrels of oil are used in the United States annually. So, though the reserves in Alaska would help support the needs of North America Alaska accounts for only approximately 7% of our current oil needs (National Geographic). The opportunity costs of preserving this remote set of biodiversity are the loss of a portion of 7% of our oil resource. In this situation, I feel that the opportunity cost does not out way the anticipated cost that will be associated with the losses within the species whether through accelerating their current challenges are being their initial threat. The suggested compromises of slant drilling or trucking in supplies during the frozen winter months still brings increased and new activities to this otherwise very quiet and untouched parcel of land. The cost to the area is just too great to seek access to such a short-term solution to our oil needs, National

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    In a foreword to Subhankar Banerjee's book, former President Jimmy Carter makes an argument against allowing drilling and industrial activity in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In his defence of his position, Carter effectively uses a combination of factual evidence, style, and appeals to emotion to persuade the reader of his ideas. Carter starts the foreword off by describing a time when he went to the Arctic Refuge with his wife, and recounting all of the Refuge's natural beauty, from the "brilliant mosaic" of plant life to the "spectacle" of caribou migration. This use of imagery helps create the feeling that the Arctic Refuge is sacred and beautiful, and therefore deserving of protection; this is a form of emotional appeal; his description of this in the form of a narrative also makes him feel more genuine and relatable.…

    • 501 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    As stated in document E the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the “…largest sanctuaries for artic animals…” as well as a “…vital birthing ground…” for many animals such as “…polar bears, grizzlies, Artic wolves, caribou…” and even endangered species like “…shaggy musk ox…”. Advocates for the oil drilling claim that the Arctic refuge “could be developed by disturbing as little as 2,000 acres” out of the “1.5 million-acre coastal plain”. However, what the advocates fail to mention is that the “…oil refuge isn’t concentrated in a single…” area, but instead is “…spread across the coastal plain in more than 30 small deposits”. These small deposits “…would fragment the habitat…” and disturb and displace wildlife. Additionally, as demonstrated in document A since the Alaskan pipeline is as close as fifty miles to the western border of the refuge they would eventually move into the refuge to drill.…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    President Carter sets forth a very compelling case for preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is quite an important issue as noted by this former President and gives interesting personal details to further his arguments. He uses his vast experience in dealing with complex issues such as the environment to make his point that the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should remain untouched. Considering the evidence first mentioned in this passage, the President uses his personal experiences and his powerful usage of diction to show the reader how important the issue of protecting the environment truly is. Very descriptive details of the beauty of this land are found throughout his essay.…

    • 484 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Anyone who has spent a prolonged period of time in the wild and has enjoyed the experience of observing the world in it’s natural habitat can see the importance of preserving our wildlife. In Jimmy Carter’s attempt to save the wildlife refuge in Alaska he uses reasoning, evidence, the past, and personal experience in the wild. Carter argues that preserving this extraordinary pure land in it’s “pure, untrammeled state” would be a “Great triumph for America”. Jimmy Carter starts by exonerating the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and describing its natural beauty and magnificence. He does this to get the reader to relate and use their own experience in nature to start a sense of credibility towards what he is writing.…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Stop Oil Sands Expansion

    • 1032 Words
    • 5 Pages

    There are many conflicting opinions whether the development of the oil sands in Canada should proceed or whether it should slow down on any plans to move forward. Although both arguments have valid points, when it comes to educating the general public, the results depend on who presents their argument in a more understandable and convincing way. I found that between the articles Why Canada needs to develop the oil sands and Stop Oil sands expansion, says Canadian and U.S. Scientists. The former was a superior article because of its detail and organization as well as the evidence provided to support their statements. The first article, Why Canada needs to develop the oil sands, starts out by discussing the diverse economy of Canada and how…

    • 1032 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “8.9 million- Arce Arctic Wildlife Range to preserve its unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values.” If, we continue taking away the animals homes many will become extinct. However, there are positive things comes from building, their plant and there are many negatives that come from it as well.…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    This directly ties into if the benefit of drilling itself is economically worth while for the land. Also, the status of the environment is another important question that must be asked; and which species are directly affected by this drilling process in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. This ultimately brings up a cost to the environment that must be found to also determine if the benefit of drilling will outweigh…

    • 709 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The oil industries and their political affiliates are determined to launch attacks to use this remaining treasure for oil and gas drilling. While climate change is already causing plenty of disruptive damage to environments across the world, they want to contribute to the factor by opening an oil refinery right on the Artic Refuge. While we have people in power that don’t understand the consequences of this and simply don’t care what happens to one of the last untouched landscapes of the United States. One organization is saying that there is 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil and another is saying there’s 3 billion barrels of oil. They have not done enough research to definitely say how much oil is…

    • 957 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    What is the environmental cost of drilling? Do we dare touch such a fragile ecosystem that could never resurrect itself just because “gas prices are too high?” Is mankind so greedy and superficial that we have to take away one the most vast and unique areas of the world just for our own benefit? These are some of the many argumentative questions rational, environmentally aware individuals are asking after a significant amount oil has been recorded under the layers of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.…

    • 621 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jimmy Carter writes, “tearing open the heart of our greatest refuge,” to describe what industrialization will do to the Arctic National Wildlife refuge. The general argument in Carter’s forward is that this Arctic refuge should not be developed for industry. First, he uses facts and evidence to build his claim. Then he uses word choice and imagery to support his argument. His purpose is to persuade his audience that development will have negative consequences for the Arctic refuge, in order to protect this unique awe inspiring wildlife refuge.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    If this land were to be developed, these animals and plants would be displaced. Carter also discusses why the idea of oil exploration in this area would be a waste. He explains that there was a law created that “restricted development in areas that are clearly incompatible for oil exploration.” Furthermore, previous attempts “have failed because tremendous opposition by American people” in particularly the indigenous people of the area “whose culture has depended on the porcupine caribou herd for thousands of years.” Here, Carter explains that not only does the development of this refuge ruin the lives of animals and plants, but it also disturbs the culture of numerous tribes.…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Arctic Drilling

    • 1735 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Freezing waters, less daylight, extreme weather, and ice filled land make drilling in the Arctic a great challenge because a spill would result in more damage than normal. The best way to anticipate the future is by looking at the past and the history of Arctic Drilling isn’t positive. In the 1980’s, United States oil companies were unsuccessful in dealing with the extreme cold, gusting winds, and the Arctic ice. (Pratt 1). During another trip In 1989, an oil spill(known as The Exxon Valdez oil spill) occurred in the Arctic, and spilled “11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound.…

    • 1735 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Concepts of social justice are more frequently applied to natural systems in political ecology (Robbins 2012). Perspectives on wetlands in particular have been instrumental in shaping Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge and debates over wetland policy illustrate the difficulties when attempting to quantify or monetize ecosystems (Robertson and Wainwright 2013). The political debate about how we value systems that provide ecosystem services to humans and animals, but provide some other quality to life that is particularly difficult to quantify, a and are rooted in…

    • 1218 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In order for polar bears to preserve their species and live long healthy lives, and avoid stress, they must live in a stable environment with an appropriate consistent diet. Since Polar Bears have been recognized as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 2008 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (The Alaska Zoo 2005), it is essential to use precaution to preserve them. Captive facilities like the Alaska Zoo possess the sufficient resources for the polar bears that will aid in their restoration and expansion as a species. It is imperative that an alternative lifestyle is provided for them to conserve their species and avoid extinction. The Alaska Zoo is one of many nonprofit organizations that is a Polar Bears International (PBI)…

    • 680 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Argument Essay: Saving Oceans Six years ago the Deepwater Horizon oil spill released “210 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico…killing 4,768 animals” (Jarvis). This Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused a lot of harm to our sea life and greatly damaged ecosystems. Oil floated to the surface and washed up on shorelines as it covered beaches for miles along the coastline. Organizations joined together to help begin the process of rescuing and rehabilitating animals that suffered from this tragedy.…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics