Assignment #5: ANWR

 

Lesson 9- Arctic Wildlife Refuge Drilling Issue (ANWR)

 

OBJECTIVES

  1. •Find out where the ANWR is and why it's ecologically important.

  2. •Find out why some believe drilling there will help America's energy problem and why others refute this.

  3. •Recommend appropriate action in the ANWR based on and supported by research.

 

The Issue

President Bush wants the Senate to approve an energy bill that would authorize oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Many conservationists and environmentalists oppose the move, citing threats to wildlife and arguing that the amount of oil obtained by drilling will not be significant enough to warrant possible damage to the area. What should happen in ANWR? Find out in this week's assignment.

Find out

  1. •Where ANWR is and why it's important

  2. •How much oil would be available for use from the ANWR

  3. •Why opponents and proponents of drilling disagree

Evaluate

  1. •Arguments in support and in opposition to drilling in the ANWR

 

Follow these guidelines when writing your essay:

  1. •Organize by using an introduction, body and conclusion.

  2. •Be sure to define key terms for the reader.

  3. •Support your opinion using research examples.

  4. •Always use your own words and cite sources (all resources used to get information and ideas) in a Works Cited page at the end of your essay.

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DUE DATE: April 20, 2012
TO: Environmental Law Students
FROM: Helen Haberman, Instructor
SUBJECT: Arctic Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

Assignment (40 points)

Part 1: Your task this week is to write a 1-2 page paper that explores the controversy of drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Your research should weigh the ecological importance of the area against America's need for oil to support our energy requirements. Use the guiding questions to complete this part.

Format: Papers must be word-processed using a 12-point font and double-spaced.

Websites

What is the ANWR? An overview from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ANWR: Jobs and Energy for America (a pro-development/drilling site)

Top 10 Reasons to Drill (a link from above site)

Defenders of Wildlife Overview on ANWR. Anti-drilling / pro-preservation site.

A Proposal for Drilling (a brief explanation of what’s on the table now)

Overview of ANWR Key issues are explored in a fairly objective analysis of the what to do in ANWR.

Guiding Questions.

  1. •Describe the ANWR. Where is it, how big is it, who lives there, why is it ecologically important?

  2. •Why do many politicians and Americans favor drilling in the ANWR? Describe some of the goals of the current Obama administration around energy policy.

  3. •Why do many oppose drilling in ANWR? Who are these people and what are their goals for the area?

  4. •How have Oregon's senators voted on recent legislation? Where do they stand on the issue?

  5. •Is a compromise possible in this area? Explain.


Now do Part 2: Letter to a member of Congress.

Part 2: Once you have conducted background research, you will write and send a letter to one of Oregon's members of Congress urging them to drill or leave the area undeveloped, depending on your opinion.

Choose either one of Oregon’s US Senators (Jeff Merkley or Wyden, both Democrats) or US House member (ours is Peter Defazio, Democrat) to write. Do part one research first before writing your letter.  Defend your reasons and print a copy of it to turn in with Part 1 of this assignment.

Make sure your letter answers the following and is in proper business letter format.

  1. •Who are you?

  2. •Why are you writing?

  3. •Do you think the U.S. should drill for oil in the ANWR or leave it alone? Explain your answer by providing supporting details.


See an example of a letter.

Essay Tips

Organize your essay by using the questions. Be sure your work answers all the questions but in essay format.

Proofread your essay. Have another person proofread it too.

Correct all grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.

Complete a Works Cited page where you cite sources and / or websites used.

Deliver a printed copy of your finished essay to your in-folder. Do this even if you send an additional copy of it using the text box below!