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Ecological Concerns about US Offshore Oil Drilling

Monday,
Nov 24
Offshore Drilling Rig

Ecological concerns about U.S. offshore oil drilling are valid and substantiated concerns that should be considered and not dismissed lightly. The environmental impact of drilling offshore and the use of offshore drilling rigs can be minimized by certain industries, including the oil and gas industries, but offshore oil drilling poses huge threats to the environment and the entire world. In North America alone there are more than 3,100 offshore drilling rigs in use, which means a significant number of chances that something could go wrong or an accident could happen. Offshore oil drilling poses many risks, which is the main cause for protests from environmental groups that want to prohibit any offshore drilling.

Oil exploration includes the use of seismic waves that are sent into the ocean floor. These waves bounce back and give a picture of the sea floor. The seismic waves can determine if there are natural formations that increase the odds of finding oil, but the only way to tell for sure if a source exists is to drill. Seismic waves can cause serious problems and can damage marine life in the area. Whales have been shown to become disoriented and beach themselves because of oil exploration efforts, specifically the seismic waves used to determine the geography of the ocean floor. When these exploration techniques are performed on land, land animals can also be affected.

Oil spills and transportation accidents are another big concern with the environment and the safety of offshore oil drilling. The Exxon Valdez tanker in Prince William Sound more than 20 years ago devastated the local marine, animal, and plant life. The native populations that depended on fishing, hunting, and other resources from the land in the area suffered irreparable damage. Their losses totaled millions, if not billions of dollars. On average, at least 300 oil spills occur annually, with some years experiencing as many as 500 or more.

When oil is spilled in water rather than on land, the results are more devastating because oil can spread very rapidly on the surface of the water and contaminate miles of ocean within a matter of minutes. Because oil will float on the ocean in a thin film, a single barrel spilled can cover a huge surface of water and can affect everything that the water touches.
Offshore Oil Drilling

The environmental concerns over the safety of U.S. oil drilling and offshore oil drilling must be taken seriously. The health and safety of the planet depends on keeping the earth in good condition. Offshore oil drilling can lead to massive ocean pollution. Even land animals can be affected by a spill because the oil will wash up on the beach and contaminate everything it touches. These spills can take decades to clean completely and can severely damage the natural populations of an area. Instead of placing more offshore drilling rigs and opening up one of the last untouched natural areas in the United States, we must turn to alternative energy sources that are renewable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly to ensure that we do not cause any further damage and stress to the earth. Fossil fuels, including oil, contribute to global warming and air pollution. Protecting the environment means putting an end to offshore oil drilling and a dependency on fossil fuels. Instead we need to look at and use other energy sources that are friendly to the environment. Ecological concerns about the environmental impact of drilling for oil are well-founded. The planet can only take so much abuse, but we can stop causing harm to the environment by using alternative energy sources that are more environmentally friendly than oil.

9 Responses to “Ecological Concerns about US Offshore Oil Drilling”

  1. 1
    Keely Rang Says:

    Another oil rig explosion and the people saying drilling should stop will be driving to work today and using the gas to cook and heat water!

    September 3rd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
  2. 2
    Andres Molloy Says:

    I would love to write and say what a great job you did on this, as you have put a lot of work into it.

    September 3rd, 2010 at 7:03 am
  3. 3
    Hector Hullender Says:

    Wow, thank you. I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Great job.

    September 2nd, 2010 at 10:45 pm
  4. 4
    Miguelina Ferrar Says:

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    August 30th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
  5. 5
    Vincent Says:

    Nice to read your article, it’s very interesting.

    August 28th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
  6. 6
    fishing Says:

    nice informitive blog post. I hope to see another post from you on this in the future.

    August 26th, 2010 at 12:14 am
  7. 7
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    I’m an email subscriber. Thanks!

    August 25th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
  8. 8
    Rosemary Gremillion Says:

    Until the Deepwater Horizon explosion, I had no idea offshore drilling posed such risks to the environment. The reason why offshore drilling is not ended is no secret to anyone. But I think there is no other solution but to stop drilling for oil in our oceans. I am just an average citizen, but I love animals, and the sight of those poor birds drenched in oil is just so sad. I don’t understand these wealthy oil moguls. They’ve made their quatrillions. Get out and help environmentalists look for safer energy alternatives that don’t involve killing innocent animals.

    May 15th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
  9. 9
    Nicolai V. Says:

    I used to work on an offshore rig and one of the most nerve wracking things was keeping the systems online during hurricanes and bad storms. Those systems go down and you have a potential mess on your hands.

    February 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm

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