Discussing Off Shore Drilling in Alaska

[Marisa Meléndez]

I recently sent my sister whom lives in Anchorage, Pacific Environment's petion against off shore drilling. Sadly, she had this to say in response:

 

"Haven't read the petition, but you know to get rid of off shore drilling in alaska, would mean putting half the people in this state ( and probably idaho) including your sister on the streets.  And if we stop offshore drilling in this country before we have another viable energy source, what will we do for fuel?  I'm not saying you're wrong or that I don't hate what is happening to our environment in so many ways, but I think that too many people look at a picture of some poor animal covered in goop and make a decision about something without looking at the whole picture."

 

I want to reply to her but I am having dificulty distancing myself from being too passionate about the subject because she is my sister, and clearly she is the one whom has not "looked at the whole picture".  I would love it if people would leave me their input as well as resources I could send her. I know some of my own, but I would like to know more especially of documentaries, websites, and short articles. I think she will be less inclined to read whole books on the subject of peak oil change and the like.

 

Any thoughts?

[Geoff Buddle]

Hi Marisa,
a really good summary that keeps away from moral questions (no wishy-washy greenie stuff that shuts many down) and from a well-known source (TVO/CBC) is:
http://www.gwynnedyer.ca/
Ideas1 thru 3 are audio, TVO is video. Nice factual stuff from an old hand at war correspondence, he lays it on the line according to all he has talked too, no unneccessary embelishment, since none is needed. Simplifies things well too, when we have an influence on climate, and when we don't and what that will mean.

Geoff

[John Fleming]

It's a classic debate over the merits of each, maybe google "environment vs. jobs" for ideas?

I would say the Jobs side is generally short-sighted and unsustainable - even if oil is produced, eventually it will be used up, and Alaska will have to deal with the jobs issue at that point (re-skilling!). Alaska will have no hope of long term survival if it's renewable resources are destroyed, for example the fisheries.

[Martina Rowley]

Ouch! Trying to "environmentalise" one's family members is probably the hardest thing to do. You'd think it would be easiest to talk to, and educate them on changing their habits. Personally, I do not do this with my family... or only in small measures.
As to actual useful sites, I think Geoff covered a good one. TVO has shown great docs. over time. And it's a challenging discussion to have because in many ways your sister is completely right as well: Local economies depend heavily on local resources. As John points out though, if they [anyone relying on just one resource] don't start branching out into other job sectors - best those that are more sustainable - then at some point they'll end up without their livelihoods and haven't re-skilled into doing something as an alternative. And that may be your strongest argument with your sister! To be prepared, and ready for change.
~Martina

[Marisa Meléndez]

Thanks Everyone for your collective insight. She actually has been doing some investigating of her own and was shocked to find the many aspects in which we truely rely upon oil. I think it will become clear to her soon enough.

[William (Bill) Schnurr]

Hi again Marisa. We've all heard the arguement that jobs are more important than the environment, or that environmental policies should take a backseat to economic realities (e.g. Govenment of Canada). One of the most compelling things about the Transition movement is that, with the economic reality of peak oil, people can't use the same old arguements or excuses. That is how i understand it anyway, and if the concepts of Transition reach more and more people, I think real and positive change will happen. The problem is the solution.
Bill

Marisa Meléndez said:

Thanks Everyone for your collective insight. She actually has been doing some investigating of her own and was shocked to find the many aspects in which we truely rely upon oil. I think it will become clear to her soon enough.

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[Geoff Buddle]

Hi,
Radio Ecoshock gets right to the experts and quality info. The show labelled "From the Deep Water Horizon" and at this link:
http://www.ecoshock.net/eshock10/ES_100507_Show_LoFi.mp3 includes Riki Ott who "marine biologist, fisherwoman, and the conscience of Valdez, Alaska, checks in from New Orleans." I can't believe its been 21 years. And they are guessing it could be 20-30 more years before the oil is -loosely- gone. The herring fishermen still can't fish their zones. The Gulf's "Macondo field spurts out a relentless wave of fossil carbon, suspected to equal a new Exxon Valdez spill, every three days." If you don't get to listen to the program, just bear in mind two weeks of the blown out wellhead being unplugged is going to become a slick that washes up around Florida to New York. It is starting to look like oil is Russian Roulette with all chambers loaded.

Geoff
"You can solve all the world's problems... in a garden." -Jeff Lawton

[William (Bill) Schnurr]

It's a horrible situation in the Gulf. So bad , it can't be ignored. This will hopefully be a tipping point for change. I beleive the whole global warming/climate change debate was galvanized in the late 1980's, after extremely dry, hot summers in the U.S.A led to the Mississippi River almost running dry. That got people's attention. Bill


Geoff Buddle said:

Hi,
Radio Ecoshock gets right to the experts and quality info. The show labelled "From the Deep Water Horizon" and at this link:
http://www.ecoshock.net/eshock10/ES_100507_Show_LoFi.mp3 includes Riki Ott who "marine biologist, fisherwoman, and the conscience of Valdez, Alaska, checks in from New Orleans." I can't believe its been 21 years. And they are guessing it could be 20-30 more years before the oil is -loosely- gone. The herring fishermen still can't fish their zones. The Gulf's "Macondo field spurts out a relentless wave of fossil carbon, suspected to equal a new Exxon Valdez spill, every three days." If you don't get to listen to the program, just bear in mind two weeks of the blown out wellhead being unplugged is going to become a slick that washes up around Florida to New York. It is starting to look like oil is Russian Roulette with all chambers loaded.

Geoff
"You can solve all the world's problems... in a garden." -Jeff Lawton

[John Fleming]

Right on Bill, I really hope it's a catalyst and ends up being positive in the long run, though attention spans are short. It certainly lays out the choice in plain view. And few seem to care if northern Alberta gets torn up.

Also spill info on the oil drum http://www.theoildrum.com/
(and peak oil generally)