During the first 200 years of its settlement, America was a country that was known as a superpower with no limits. When President Jefferson introduced the Louisiana Purchase to the nation, everybody believed that it would provide brand new resources to the country for centuries. Through the next 64 years, America introduced Florida, California, the Mexican Cession, Oregon Country, and Finally, Alaska. As all these new states were being produced, America was positive that their natural resource supply would last a lifetime. Nevertheless, advancing to the year 1980, the United States found itself in an oil crisis. America was importing more than a third of its oil, therefore questioning how America would keep its economy running? There were two …show more content…
It is a vital birthing ground for polar bears, grizzlies, Arctic wolves, caribou and the endangered shaggy musk ox.” The quote explains that if America drills through Alaska for oil, they will be destroying a vast amount of habitats that belong to the native animals of Alaska. Drilling for oil can harm the environment in various ways, including creating over 60 waste sites. Another harmful effect would be disturbing wildlife and turning over 1,000 miles of tundra into an industrial zone. On average, the document explains that drilling in Alaska will cause a large amount of damage to the …show more content…
In Document B, “ Top Ten Responses to Support ANWR Development, Courtesy of Arctic Power, Anchorage, Alaska, 2005.” The list says, “ If oil is discovered, less than 2000 acres of the 1.5 million acres of the Coastal Plain would be affected.” This statement clarifies that there is no guarantee that oil will be found in ANWR, although if it is, only a limited amount of land from the Coastal Plain would be affected. It is also said that more jobs will be created in Alaska due to the development of the Coastal Plain, nonetheless, this will require roads and pipelines to be built all around Alaska, running over and displacing wildlife and their environment. Although drilling in ANWR would be beneficial in some ways, such as lowering the cost of oil, bringing in more job opportunities, and enhancing federal revenues, however the decision would destroy the land due to busy work sites. Overall, the drilling in Alaska would not be completely beneficial because even if it did take place, a very small amount of the Coastal Plain would be