Save ANWR

In the United States, oil companies have already gained permission to drill in many different places, so why harm ANWR? Where else could you find caribou frolicking or beautiful scenery as you would in the ANWR region? I know America spends a lot on foreign oil, however, why should our government’s problems have an effect the natural habitat of Alaska’s animals.
While I still stand against destroying the environment for oil purposes, I understand that oil is necessary for our planet to survive. Though there are many alternative ways being created to fuel cars, the process is taking a long time, and many people aren’t taking advantage of the alternatives.
While continuing my research relating to saving ANWR, I came across a blog written by Sheryl Canter, who shares the same viewpoints as I. What she also opened my eyes to was the fact that ANWR’s total amount of oil would be nothing compared to the 21 billion gallons of oil that Americans burn daily!
Another problem with drilling is the fact that oil use is considered one of the leading causes of global warming. Supporters of drilling in ANWR obviously do not understand the harsh ecological consequences, or are too selfish to care. Overall, ANWR, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, should be saved considering the fact that it is a “Wildlife Refuge!”

Save ANWR

America has become so dependent on oil, it seems as if the government would go to any measure to obtain it, even if it comes to destroying natural animal habitats and moving small communities. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is the United State's largest wildlife refuge, spreading across 19 million acres of northern Alaska. The part of ANWR that would be used for oil and gas development is considered to contain billions of gallons of oil, along with trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. Along with all the oil and gas, ANWR also contains a fragile ecosystem.

The debate on whether or not to drill for the much needed oil has been going on for years. According to the Defenders of Wildlife article, Wildlife Impacts from Oil Drilling in the Refuge, the portion of ANWR set aside for oil and gas development is the 1.5 million acres of coast along the Beaufort Sea. President George W. Bush proposed that the oil found in ANWR would reduce our dependence on foreign oil by one million barrels a day. Is it worth destroying the environment?

According to Jeffery A. Hank's article, ANWR & Oil: What About the Wildlife, drilling in ANWR would provide America with oil and gas, however at the same time it would ruin the beauty of the land. Numerous animals call this land home, and many migrate across it each year. It would be selfish of our government to ruin one of America's last frontiers only for extra oil. It should be no question that the beautiful wildlife and picturesque terrain should stay unharmed from oil rigs.

There are also small communities that call ANWR home; the Gwich'en people and the Inupiat Eskimo tribe. Though the two groups support oil drilling on their land, it may also cause them harm. With the building of oil rigs, many job opportunities will arise for the people. However, the question these groups face is deciding between earning money and preserving land.