Offshore Oil Drilling
On April 20th, 2010, an oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, approximately 4.9 billion barrels of oil poured into the gulf over the course of 87 days. This tragedy resulted in lives lost, both human and animal alike, and really brought the issue of off-shore oil drilling to attention. While some may believe that offshore oil drilling may seem like a harmless source of revenue for the United States, it is imperative that citizens realize that drilling does more harm than good. America needs to consider the negative effects of offshore oil drilling on the environment, the economy, and the future.
Offshore oil drilling is slowly destroying our environment. Over the past few years following the tragic oil spill in the gulf, …show more content…
America’s fishing and tourism industries are still feeling the effects of the BP oil spill. Due to the oil contamination of our sea life, it’s been very difficult for fishermen to find healthy, safe, seafood to bring to the stores, and eventually home to feed families. In an article by Maria Gallucci, the author interviewed a fisher/business owner by the name of Brian Harvey. Mr. Harvey explained that over 5 years following the Since the spillage, their “once-bustling marina has grown still after the flood of oil and clean-up efforts skilled off most of the oyster reefs.” The families that used to tour the area during vacations aren’t willing to go to a beach contaminated with oil, eat unsafe seafood, or fish in the dying or empty waters they used to enjoy. The fishing and tourism industry has dropped by at least 50%, and continues to fall. Harvey is just one of the thousands of workers affected by this one oil-spill (). The jobs created by the Oil Drilling industry doesn’t even make up for it. Many of the positions offered by this industry lack safety regulations. Oil rig workers spend an average of 12 hours a day working in dangerous conditions hundreds of miles away from emergency services. They live on these isolated oil rigs from a week to a month of time (Webley). Working with highly-combustible material like oil and gasolines, and heavy machinery that breaks often, it’s not surprising to hear that people die every year working in these conditions.
Offshore oil drilling is slowly destroying our environment. Over the past few years following the tragic oil spill in the gulf, …show more content…
America’s fishing and tourism industries are still feeling the effects of the BP oil spill. Due to the oil contamination of our sea life, it’s been very difficult for fishermen to find healthy, safe, seafood to bring to the stores, and eventually home to feed families. In an article by Maria Gallucci, the author interviewed a fisher/business owner by the name of Brian Harvey. Mr. Harvey explained that over 5 years following the Since the spillage, their “once-bustling marina has grown still after the flood of oil and clean-up efforts skilled off most of the oyster reefs.” The families that used to tour the area during vacations aren’t willing to go to a beach contaminated with oil, eat unsafe seafood, or fish in the dying or empty waters they used to enjoy. The fishing and tourism industry has dropped by at least 50%, and continues to fall. Harvey is just one of the thousands of workers affected by this one oil-spill (). The jobs created by the Oil Drilling industry doesn’t even make up for it. Many of the positions offered by this industry lack safety regulations. Oil rig workers spend an average of 12 hours a day working in dangerous conditions hundreds of miles away from emergency services. They live on these isolated oil rigs from a week to a month of time (Webley). Working with highly-combustible material like oil and gasolines, and heavy machinery that breaks often, it’s not surprising to hear that people die every year working in these conditions.