Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
It's my understanding that in some regions the issue isn't so much the effect "drilling" itself will have on the environment. It's duely noted that drilling for oil in and of itself causes little harm.
But let's say there's an endangered species of caribou that inhabits the area where we wish to place the drilling operation and the oil drilling facility itself is in the middle of their breeding ground. The concern isn’t so much the drilling…it’s the human impact on the region and how it might affect these caribou. Will the construction on the site cause them to flee into more dangerous wilderness wherein they are not accustomed for survival? Will they successfully find new breeding grounds or will the species die off in a couple generations? Also some areas are known for their unique habitat. Researchers use these regions to study nature in a place where few humans have dared to tread. Could their research bring cures for known human diseases? Will the impact be so great as to render this research futile? Will local endangered fish survive the construction and continued use of a massive oil rig in their backyard?
Imagine a pristine wilderness untouched by human beings. It’s proven to be a wildlife haven for local species, some of which are endangered. Suddenly the silence is broken as a road is being paved into the region. We see truck after truck as they ship out dirt and ship in materials to build a road. Soon an entire site is deforested to prepare for the massive building project. The project will take perhaps a year or more to complete. During that time much construction takes place. The road has been paved; shipments in and out have been steady. You can hear the radio of a crane operator basting country music as he lifts materials for building. The beating of helicopter blades can be heard breaking the air as aerial surveys of the region are routinely made. Exhaust bellows from the trucks, bulldozers, and other machinery steadily at work on the project. Relatively speaking the “pollution” itself isn’t much of an issue. It’s human impact. Soon a rare bird migrates to more desolate regions… and is never seen again. The drilling facility was built in the middle of an endangered caribou mating ground and this year their numbers are down a third or more. The Yeti living in the local snow capped mountains has to move to Boulder Colorado and get a job selling winter ski gear at the local sporting goods store. Big Foot finds himself catching a train to New York City to take a job shining shoes in Central Park. An entirely hidden alien base has to be abandoned costing the alien civilization that built the base quadrillions in stellar currency sparking an intergalactic incident wherein they blow up our moon and surfers never again catch the big wave.
It’s serious business. lol
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My dear Aquila,
Are the animals so fragile? How have they survived for so long already if they are as fragile as you speak?
We must take all reasonable measures, but fact is the earth and all that is in it is much more resilient than all this fear mongering.
This oil spill is a disaster, but the environment will recover and revive.