http://thatcarblog.com/?m=201008
Today, the United States’ dependence on oil as a chief source of energy is a foremost concern in the opinion of the American public. And while gas prices are steadily escalating, many wonder what the future holds for the state of our environment, economy, and way of living in relation to how we generate and implement sources of energy. While there are those who feel oil supplies are rapidly nearing their end, there are others who simply believe there is plenty of oil to go around for generations to come – it is just a matter of increasing production and availability. Positions aside, one thing is clear: the topic of oil, in its many forms, is an increasingly growing issue that is gaining momentum, but not being so quick as to be resolved.
http://beta.pixelsurgeon.com/reviews/review.php?id=824
Proponent Position
The need and demand for oil in this country, as well as many others, is a current reality. Oil and natural gas have become vital to practically everything we do. These resources are tied to our transportation methods, agricultural developments, means of construction, and so many other products and services we have become dependent upon. No other energy sources have proven to be as versatile and effective as oil has. To try and establish new sources of energy would take too much time, money, research, and labor. Additionally, there are no guarantees that these sources would be able to withstand the demand placed on them.
http://www.energyinsights.net/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000055/005508-p.htm
Opposing Position
Arguments against the rampant rate of oil production and depletion boils down to two main points: the damage to the environment and various life forms is too risky and too great (loss of biodiversity), and we will eventually exhaust all the oil; in other words, our ability to keep up with the growing demand and need for oil as a primary energy source cannot be carried on forever.
As alluded to previously, the production of oil poses serious threats to the environment and various ecosystems. For instance, take into account the event that has been dubbed the largest oil spill in the United States. On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker, struck Bligh Reef and “spilled 260,000 barrels (10.9 million gallons) of crude oil into Prince William Sound along the coast of Alaska ... According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, more than 30,000 birds ... and between 3,500 and 5,500 sea otters died as a result of the spill” (Berg and Hager 415). Furthermore, “The area’s killer whale and harbor seal populations declined, salmon migration was disrupted, and the fishing season in the area was halted that year” (Berg and Hager 415). Although not intentional, the Alaskan oil spill of 1989 caused irreparable damage to a fragile ecosystem. Oil spills are occurring more frequently, and the neighboring life forms and habitats affected pay the greatest price.
http://www.gulfspilloil.com/the-sticky-details-bp-oil-spill-facts-that-you-should-not-forget
Something to Think About
Oil and natural gas supply approximately 63 percent of the energy used in the United States (Berg and Hager 412). Coal, nuclear power, and hydropower serve as the United States’ other leading energy sources. Moreover, “Globally, oil and natural gas provide 61.5 percent of the world’s energy...” (Berg and Hager 412). Oil and natural gas supply more than half of the energy on the global scale. How long can we keep this up?
My Position
We seem to only truly care, get upset, or take notice and action when we find ourselves at the short end of the stick. To hell with everything else – just so long as we come out on top. This may be the current social norm, but there is no reason we cannot change it. We, the human race, just need to get out of our own way.
Oil depletion is not only a major concern for the United States but for the world as well. Our reliance on oil already has too many implications for our environment, economy, national security, and the lives of which we have come accustomed to. Arguments aside, one thing is for certain: oil is a finite resource. With increasing demand and growing populations, oil is bound to fall short somewhere. One would think that if we, meaning the human race, could collectively become more efficient in how we utilize energy the problem would go away and all would be well. This assumption, however, is problematic because the needs and demands of both the developed world’s population and the developing world’s population are already way too high. Becoming more efficient would certainly help relieve some of the pressure placed on oil, but the problems of pollution, depletion of soil, and loss of wildlife would still exist and persist. I cannot think of any practical solutions to the oil/energy crisis, and apparently, I am not the only one. I hate to sound all doom and gloom, but that seems to be the forecast in store for both biotic and abiotic environments.
http://www.ecofriendlydaily.com/news/dependence-on-foreign-oil/
Citation(s):
Berg, Linda R., and Mary C. Hager. Visualizing Environmental Science.
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2009. Print.
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