WOW! This debate is mindblowing and that’s why I love Medium. As an ecologist I am on Matthew Koller’s side.
However I understand your point:
“Denying Alaskans (or West Virginians) economic opportunities is cruel, better be sure it’s worth it”
I am not an American, I don’t know how ressources and benefits are shared. I just remember from my history class that you used to hunt communists like witches. I am also witnessing the global problem of richness distribution.
It’s totally normal for locals to have the opportunity to exploit the resources they are living with (on, in this case). They should have sovereignty on their land and the right to govern it as they wish. However I am asking you, who is going to get most of the benefits? Certainly not the 25 000 inuits living in Alaska, but more probably the CEO of the drilling company who may live in another state or another country. Take as an example the eco-friendly Canadian who are happily mining in south America. The stockholders will also receive some dividends from the company success. So yes, you will create local employment, but most of the benefits won’t be for locals.
That was my first point, if you drill, and exploit local ressources, make sure these ressources are benefitting ALL the locals and not an elite.
My second point would be about globalization. Companies are able to think global when they move capitals to low-taxed countries. Companies are able to think global when they hire cheap work force in developping countries. BUT, companies are not able to think global about climate change and our environmental issues. Why is this?
Each ton of CO2 you will take out from this ground will harm all Earthlings, and each hectare of cut vegetation will change the water cycle and the climate. So yes keeping the oil inside the ground will decrease the local development and that sucks. However it should exist other ways to develop Alaska sustainably. Oil drilling is only the easy way, be more creative and call for entrepreneurs ready to make a positive change.
That was my last point. Keep the carbon in the ground, because under there, there is enough carbon to kill us all.
Have fun in life, make money if you like, but please, please think about your global impact, think about the future sufferings you are creating.
One person’s freedom ends where another’s begins
