Can the preservation of wildlife be achieved along side enriching human prosperity?
This past Friday, Alaskan U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced a bill she co-sponsored that would allow for the extraction and production of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE51R0Z120090228?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
Senator Murkowski believes that this bill is a good compromise for both the nation and the environment because both sides win, and I agree. By allowing oil to be produced from within the country's borders, the United States will be one step closer to being self reliant with her energy needs rather than bowing down to OPEC. In addition, environmentalist will be happy with the bill's restrictions which promote minimal environmental impact. Drilling would be limited to the winter months only. After that time all operations would stop and the wells will be capped; thus alleviating the problem of distracting wildlife such as the Porcupine Caribou and Polar Bear from raising their young in the spring. In addition, directional drills would be used that will minimize the overall environmental impact in the area unlike using traditional oil rigs.
Everything associated with this bill appears to be a good thing for the country and Alaska's wildlife. Of course environmentalists object, but like many hardcore activists, they tend to think within the box instead of outside the box. At the present moment, bio-fuels and hybrid cars are limited in that they are not accessable to everyone. Until every single person living in the U.S.A has the means to "Go Green" we must still use unleaded gasoline. At the same time, why should we allow congress to continue being held in a stangle hold by foreign countries. We must start relying on ourselves to get things done that are in this country's best interest. Drilling in ANWR as proposed in Senator Murkowski's bill will do just that.
Finally, as for the question posed at the beginning of this post, drilling in ANWR will make the answer yes.
What do you think?
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