Arctic oil drilling exacerbating global warming

Christian Science Monitor : In the Christian Science Monitor, David Unger notes the circular paradox concerning Arctic drilling and climate change: “The region’s fossil-fuel extraction contributes to warming, which opens up drilling possibilities but also adds environmental turbulence that makes drilling so difficult.” Already, severe weather has caused several companies to shut down their drilling operations in the area. But because the Arctic is home to 13% of the world’s oil and 30% of its natural gas, it is expected that those companies will want to resume their drilling as soon as possible. Since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its legal ramifications, however, oil companies have come to realize the value of adhering to higher safety standards. In light of that fact, the Obama administration released a paper Friday that urges Arctic countries to work together to balance resource extraction and environmental protection. The paper preceded this week’s meeting of the Arctic Council in Kiruna, Sweden, during which the members are expected to vote on an oil spill response agreement, among other issues.