Is Oil Evil?

Is Oil Evil? Question 1: Is your personal consumption of oil part of the problem? Question 2: What impact does oil have on our environment? Question 3: Are there any viable energy alternatives? Question 4: Is there a connection between oil and violence in the Middle East? Sources Contributors

Question 1: Is your personal consumption of oil part of the problem?

                Yes, our personal consumption is part of the problem. We as human beings are dependent on oil; as sad as it is, without it, we wouldn't be able to go through a single day! Our parents wouldn't be able to go to work, we wouldn't be able to go to school, and the whole economy would be destroyed. As you can see, we need oil everyday, so we must use a lot of it. If we could cut back on driving by planning your week beforehand or getting better mileage out of our cars. Another solution would be to use alternative fuels. Ethanol or electric powered cars would greatly cut down the consumption of oil.

Dan P. and Gulshan S. 12/10/07

Question 2: What impact does oil have on our environment?

                Oil has devasting and long lasting effects on the environment. One of these is oil spills. When an oil spill occurs by a body of water, the animals in that water become coated with the polutant. The food that the animals eat is also coated with oil, so they become sick and die. This mess costs billions of dollars to clean up, and many law suits occur. Another effect of oil is global warming. When cars emit fossil fuels into the atmosphere, they trap heat inside of it. This can have devastating affects on the animals and plants on the earth and the ice caps to the north and south.

Dan P. and Gulshan S. 12/10/07

Question 3: Are there any viable energy alternatives?

                Yes, there are many alternative energy sources. Examples include solar power, electric power, wind power, and nuclear power. Nuclear power begins with mining uranium. Then they split the atoms of the uranium using an extremely high temperature, releasing energy. This energy is probably the most efficient type of power, but it also has a negative side. For example, lets say you have a car crash. Even if you survive the accident, the chance that you'll survive the explosion is basically nonexistant. An example of an alternative fuel for cars is ethanol, and recently water was made into a fuel but is not available for public use. The probability of these alternatives becoming reality is increasing as oil prices soar to record levels.

Link- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/916492.stm

Link 2- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7549530/

Dan P. and Gulshan S. 12/10/07

Question 4: Is there a connection between oil and violence in the Middle East?

                Yes, there is a connection between oil and violence in the Middle East. As I discussed before, everyone needs oil. Therefore, oil is worth a lot to many people. Since oil is so valuable, many people in the Middle East will fight to claim it, and if it takes bloodshed, they'll do it. Another point is that the few people who control the oil will be rich while everyone else is poor. This leads to hatred between the two social classes and can lead to violence like bombings.

Dan. P and Gulshan S. 12/10/07

Sources

1. Kirby, Alex. "Alternatives to Oil" BBCNews. 08 Sep. 2000. 10 Dec. 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/916492>.
2. Schoen John W. "Alternative Energy slow to take hold" MSNBC. 28 July 2005. 10 Dec. 2007. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7549530>.
3. Bird Covered with Oil. (Online image). Available <http://www.temple.edu/environment/Images/pic9.png>. 10 Dec. 2007.
4. Oil War. (Online image). Available <http://www.inforse.dk/europe/dieret/WHY/oil%20war.jpg>. 10 Dec. 2007.
5. Tower on Fire. (Online image). Available <http://www.waronwant.org/image.php?id=4231>. 10 Dec. 2007.

Contributors

Gulshan S. and Dan P.

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