Reading: Oil/Gas Extraction Overview
What is oil/gas extraction?
Two processes used to extract oil and gas from the earth are offshore drilling and fracking.
Read the Offshore Drilling and Fracking articles. Opposing Viewpoints, to gain an understanding of the processes and issues surrounding these extraction methods.
Why is it controversial?
Politicians and pundits have fiercely debated the extent to which the U.S. should become
involved in different forms of oil/gas extraction, such as offshore drilling and fracking. Environmentalists are concerned that these types of extractions pose threats to the environment while
others support the United States’ need for energy independence.
What are the two sides of the issue?
Opponents of U.S. oil/gas extraction claim that there are too many environmental risks. They also argue that an increase in American oil/gas extraction will negatively impact political and economic relationships due to changes in importing and exporting needs. Yet another concern relates to health issues caused by the processes of oil/gas extraction.
Supporters of oil/gas extraction, meanwhile, argue that because of volatile political and economic relationships with oil-producing countries, such as the Middle East, the U. S. needs to become energy independent. They also argue that the process of oil/gas extraction creates jobs for Americans, which will help stabilize the U. S. economy and increase the quality of life for the U. S.
citizens.
Key questions to consider in this Assignment
How does oil/gas extraction impact the environment? What political and economic ramifications might U.S. oil/gas extraction have on international relationships? Why might oil/gas extraction be considered a health concern for people?
Purpose
Now that you have read the Overview and have a general understanding of how and why
The oil/gas extraction issue in the United States is a controversial issue, you will consider the topic of oil/gas extraction in the United States as you learn how the argument is used in writing. Understanding argument and knowing how to set up an argument for written purposes is critical to writing successful argument essays for college study. This next activity provides practice in
critically analyzing arguments in a variety of texts and videos by identifying the pros and cons
and supporting evidence on the debatable issue of oil/gas extraction.
Directions
Part I – Understanding Argument
View the images that promote controversy: Oil Spill Clean up Offshore Drilling Rally
Consider what each image means and how it offers controversy.
Part II – Analyzing Arguments in Text and Video
Read and view the following materials on oil/gas extraction.
“Don’t Drill Along the East Coast”(Feb 2, 2015)
“Offshore Drilling Remains a Risk Worth Taking” (2014)
Ice and Brimstone: Years of Living Dangerously (2014) This link will take you to Part 15. Watch Parts 15-16.
“Fracking Is Not Harmful to the Environment” (2014)
“Fracking Is Harmful to the Environment” (2014)
Fracking: Positive or Negative Impact? (Sept 6, 2013) You can read the Fracking
Positive or Negative Impacts transcript.docx Download Fracking Positive or
Negative Impacts transcript
Open the Pros and Cons Chart Download the Pros and Cons Chart to list out the pros and cons of the issue of oil/gas extraction as you analyze four of the resources above
Link to video – Arctic oil rush https://fod-infobase-com.eznvcc.vccs.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=60763&loid=285119
Video link to – Fracking Positive or Negative Impact? https://fod-infobase-com.eznvcc.vccs.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=58072
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