Page 564 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

stockpile (which today stores one month of oil) deep under- efforts, the United States becomes freer to make geopolitical
ground in salt caverns in Louisiana, called the Strategic Petro- decisions without being hamstrung by dependence on foreign
leum Reserve. And it called for developing additional domestic energy imports. As pressure for increased drilling intensifies
sources, including offshore oil from the Gulf of Mexico. in coming years, our society will be debating the complex mix
Since then, the desire to reduce reliance on foreign oil by of social, political, economic, and environmental costs and
boosting domestic production has driven the expansion of off- benefits.
shore drilling into deeper and deeper water. It has repeatedly
driven a proposal to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
on Alaska’s North Slope to oil extraction, despite critics’ How will we convert to renewable energy?
charges that drilling there would spoil America’s last true wil- Fossil fuels are limited in supply, and their use has health,
derness while adding little to the nation’s oil supply. Today environmental, political, and socioeconomic consequences
it is driving the push to drill for oil offshore in the waters of (FIGURE 19.23). For these reasons, many scientists, environmen-
the Arctic, despite the environmental risks. As domestic U.S. tal advocates, businesspeople, and policymakers have con-
production of oil and gas increase due to enhanced drilling
cluded that fossil fuels are not a sustainable long-term solution
to our energy needs. They further conclude that we need to
WEIGHING THE ISSUES shift to clean and renewable sources of energy that exert less
impact on natural systems and human health. Many nations
DRILL, BABY, DRILL? Do you think the United States should
open more of its offshore waters to oil and gas extraction? are moving far faster than the United States. France relies on
Would the benefits exceed the potential costs? What factors nuclear power for its energy needs, Germany is investing in
should the government consider when deciding which areas solar power (pp. 599–600), and China is forging ahead and
to lease for drilling? How strongly should government regulate developing multiple renewable energy technologies.
oil and gas extraction once drilling begins? Give reasons for As we make the transition to renewable energy sources,
your answers. it will benefit us to extend the availability of fossil fuels. We
can prolong our access to fossil fuels by instituting measures to

Causes Consequences

More powerful Greenhouse gas Global climate
extraction emissions change
technologies
Low prices
Government Pollution of air,
subsidies water, soil
Reliance on Degradation of
fossil fuels ecosystems
Failure to Extraction impacts
develop other
energy sources
Depletion of Economic and
fossil fuels political vulnerability
More uses
(plastics, etc.) CHAPTER 19 • FOSSIL FUELS, THEIR IMPA CT S, AND ENERGY CONSERVATI ON
Attempt to shift
quickly to renewable
Human population energy sources
growth Limited non- if this fails, Economic loss
renewable supplies then... Economic
depression
Health impacts
Growth
in per capita End to globalization;
consumption Poor fuel efficiency societies become Social disruption
in autos localized

FIGURE 19.23 Our reliance on and depletion of fossil fuels Solutions
have many causes (ovals on left) and consequences (boxes As you progress through this chapter, try to identify as many
on right). Arrows in this concept map lead from causes to solutions to our reliance on and depletion of fossil fuels as you
consequences. Note that items grouped within outlined boxes do can. What could you personally do to help address this issue?
not necessarily share any special relationship; the outlined boxes Consider how each action or solution might affect items in the
concept map above.
are merely intended to streamline the figure. 563

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