Energy consumption needs attention

The recent fuel spill in the Galapagos should serve as a warning to the environmental risks that oil drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge would pose. The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is 1.5 million acres in Alaska, which is off limits to oil drilling, and is the home to a number of unique and threatened wildlife species. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton's claims that drilling here would not harm the environment are both unfounded and untrue. Technological advances have made oil drilling more environmentally friendly, however they cannot protect against human error which was the cause of the Galapagos spill and most other large oil spills. Furthermore, the ecological disruption caused by the exploration and drilling of this area would be significant.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney have indicated that they support this action because it would reduce the countries dependence on foreign oil. The key to reducing this country's dependence on foreign oil does not lie in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge or any other area for that matter, rather in a reduction of consumption. The United States has 4.6 percent of the world's population and uses 75 percent of the world's fossil fuels. Until we are willing to follow the ways of Europe and Japan and invest in better public transportation systems, drive more fuel-efficient cars, carpool and occasionally ride a bike we will always be dependent upon foreign oil. While these measures will certainly never be implemented or endorsed by the current administration of oilmen, they represent the only real solution to both the political and environmental side of the oil issue. The exploitation of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge is merely a short-term solution to a problem that will exist until we as a society are willing to change our energy consuming ways.

Joe Johnstone
Senior, School of Sciences

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