GEOGRAPHY:

Oil in the Arctic 

Under the ice and permafrost in the Arctic is large oil and gas wells. Whilst the ice is melting due to climate change, many countries like Alaska and Russia are able to start drilling for oil and gas within the Polar Regions. This only makes the issue of climate change even more of a problem. Not only does the extra Co2 in the atmosphere raises global temperatures, the drilling has a lasting impact on the eco-systems within the area. Last year we studied when oil exploration goes wrong in the form of Deepwater Horizon and the impact the oil within the oceans and the beaches. We could see the same potential disaster within the Arctic.  

The drilling sounds interfere with sonar signals that some animals use to navigate, such as whales.	Oil spills
Some money is invested into local schools and hospitals.	Adds more Co2 into atmosphere, which then powers further ice melting.
People from other countries come to work and bring with them different lifestyles and products, which the indigenous can use.	Manual jobs are created for local people.
Some tax is received by the countries with the oil and gas. However, this is very little compared to profit	Pipes to transfer oil underground melt the permafrost.

1.Organise the statements into advantages and disadvantages

2. Pick one social, economic and environmental impact and explain why it falls under the category.  

Social:  

Economic:  

Environmental:  

How might drilling for oil in the Arctic impact these?  

1. A local Nenet fisherman.  

        2.The CEO of shell oil.  

         3.The Beluga whale trying to migrate to colder seas to feed.  

          4.A Russian man working on the oil rig.  

3. What are the global impacts of drilling in the Arctic?

 4.To what extent, should the Arctic be inhabited? (8 marks) 

Plan 

P1: Argue that the Arctic should be inhabited     The Nenet tribe   Oil drilling	P2: Argue that the Arctic shouldn’t be inhabited     Tourism   Oil drilling
P3: Conclusion- should the Arctic be inhabited? (Your opinion)

 

 TASK 5: Create a letter to department of energy and climate change outlining why drilling for gas and oil in the arctic has a larger environmental impact than economic benefits.