ETHICAL POSITION TOUCHING ENERGY

ETHICAL POSITION TOUCHING ENERGY(Better title)
America is obsessed with oil, better known as “black gold”, the same craving is seen everywhere because oil saturates our lives. Virtually everything revolves around oil. However, people always focus on the adverse impacts attached to oil (OklahomaHorizonTV, 2013) ( avoid broad statements). The currently witnessed climatic changes point towards human activities direction (Awkward?) that revolves around extraction of oil. Despite that, given a chance to add to the list of human basic needs, energy fills in the fourth slot(?). Although, negative aspects attributed to fossil fuel occupy the online space, energy is very critical for human survival. Symbolically, energy is like the air that human breath thus, without it, survival is hard. For a fair analysis, the two sides of energy extraction must be factored. Undoubtedly, energy is very essential. Consequently, currently oil is the highest source of global energy followed by coal, gas, hydro and others. However, mechanism used to extract oil and gas raise major environmental concerns. Regardless, the bottom line is that with the modern human cannot endure without energy. This call for confirmatory action in an effort to safeguard the environment while at the same time ensure energy secure. Ideally, change is like rest. For the sake of the ecosystem, consistent amendment of the technology used to extract energy appears to be a well-thought option. This proposal raises heated debate. While some people support the idea others are against it (Stille 36). Argumentatively, the ethical issues surrounding continuous improvement of technologies deployed in energy production channeled towards making them efficient and reduce harmful effects of using fossil fuels and at the same time avoiding advocacy for something unreal marks the focal point. (wordy/ broad thesis)
Clearly, technology has taken effect in the energy sector. Hydraulic fracturing technology is a new technology that has taken the world by surprise. It is aggressively used in the extraction of natural gas from shale rock layers featuring both horizontal and vertical drilling. Volumes of chemical are used to facilitate successful completion of the process. This aspect raises several environmental concerns such as air pollution and spillage of waste ponds. However, introduced in 1940, hydraulic fracturing is currently used in Marcellus, Utica, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana among other states. This move resulted in energy security. Consequently, hydraulic fracturing technology facilitates drilling of oil and gas beyond unreachable hot spots. This move boosts domestic oil production, and it benefits trickles down to everybody as witnessed with low prices of energy and oil. This move favors the transport and manufacturing industries among others. Ideally, safeguarding ecological system is ethical. However, it is hard to imagine a future without hydraulic system even for a second. Undoubtedly, in its current status, this technology poses several threat to human and animal. However, the system is a ‘work in progress’ in an effort to reduce the adverse impact at the same time boost energy production. Hence, the world cannot afford to let go such powerful technologies (Throupe, Robert and Xue 223). (why is fracking your 1st paragraph?)
(maybe this sould be in paragraph one) The peak oil concept quickly click in everyone mind. Evidently, the world population is growing at a very high speed. Hence, a time will come when annual world population hit the projected threshold. Such scenario renders the oil extraction process expensive. In addition, high world population coupled with scarcity nature of land hinders the extraction process. Powered by technology advancement oil becomes cheap and easy to extract. This reality clicks (low diction) an ethical consideration on whether the available limited land should be used for human settlement or oil extraction. Ideally, both human settlement and energy are very critical. However, shelter comes first, energy follows. As such, for human survival, other forms of energy are required powered by improved or new technology. Such move helps in meeting the global need.
According to BP, oil, coal and gas are the commonly used source of energy projected to hit 30% by 2030. However, renewable oil, hydro and nuclear will hit 0.5% during the same year. Further, BP explains that the connection between cost of the three commonly used types of energy and production cost signals danger. Precisely, the profit margin is low, which makes it hard to produce in large scale. Hence, study channeled toward renewable energy should be fully supported and funded in an effort to ensure energy security at a low cost. Meanwhile, some people support new ideas guided by human desire to keep the plant clean in an attempt to make more money by proposing ideas, which are not feasible. Such scenarios are evidence in different areas, for instance, support for construction of more railways instead of personal cars. This is the case witnessed in Mexico, where railways transport is aggressively used supported by government. The rail transfer civil servant from their resident places to the workplace, more than 50 miles. This is considered as an inexpensive ride for a few, but many people think otherwise. Ideally, the opponent of the railway idea argues that for every rail trip, a Toyota Prius can be purchased for the commuters annually for 30 years. This move is cheaper compared to railways construction. Hence, rather than constructing railways, the existing technology must be modified to ensure availability of energy executed in an eco-friendly manner. (Any sources?)
There is a thin line between extraction of energy and ecological impacts (source). No matter how hard technology tries to ensure sustainable energy, environmental impacts are always overlooked. As aforementioned, climate change is attached to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels. This move results in greenhouse gas emission that is harmful. The same narrative characterizes hydraulic fracturing system featuring issues such as air pollution, water contamination, and oil spill contamination, which remains unaddressed in areas where the system is in use. Ideally, hydraulic fracturing releases lots of methane. A study by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that the extraction process in Colorado realizes more than 4% of in the atmosphere. Ideally, the same amount of gas is emitted by over one million cars. Several other cases have been reported but unfortunately they fall in a deaf ear because the hydraulic fracturing still continues in some parts of the world. Further, oil spoilage is another significant issue. In 2011, over 1,000 liters of contaminated wastewater spilled in North Dakota. Such incidents are enormous threats to human and wildlife. Further, the wastewater storage comprising of huge volumes of chemicals are poisonous to both wildlife and birds. Similarly, some of the effects affect the human being. Ideally, research suggests that 75% of chemical used in the process affects sensory, respiratory as well as the gastrointestinal system (Joe). (why is this paragraph planned here)
We do not want a contaminated planet. With such disturbing statistics and diminutive modifications to the tools, the question of whether technological change should be given a chance requires deep consideration. Ideally,(?) hydraulic fracturing is a new technology introduced in 1940. It requires a lot of liquid, including 2% of chemical. The chemical used is a combination of several products. Surprisingly, more than 650 of the products use human carcinogens regulated by Safe Drinking Water Act. Further, a significant number of products used are listed as a trade secret by Occupational Safety and Health Administration. With that in mind, it is clear that this system was not fit for use from the word go. It is not worth to jeopardize human life for the sake of energy. In every innovation, human and ecological safety should be accorded the priority. However, this is not the case with hydraulic fracturing. Hence, improvement should not be considered. If anything, cheap, ecological friendly energy such as solar and biomass should be given priority (Levant 27).
In conclusion, energy is the backbone of social and economic system. It facilitates transportation, manufacturing, and communication just to list but a few. For a fact, oils form part of human life. However, future security of oil hangs in the balance. The currently used technologies attract negative attention. For instance, sometime back in 2013, American moved to the street in protest against the use of hydraulic fracturing. Undoubtedly, the technology is attached to a series of negative ecological impact. However, fracturing is a work in progress that if properly modified energy uncertainty would be regarded as past tense. Hence, the world cannot afford to let go such efficient technology. Although hydraulic fracturing ensures energy security, the need for the alternative source of energy is inevitable. However, the cost attached to dispatchable and non-dispatchable technologies is not pocket-friendly for the common citizen. Hence, technology advancement geared towards continuous improvement of technologies deployed in energy production channeled towards making them efficient and reduce harmful effects of using fossil fuels is a better option.

References

OklahomaHorizonTV, (2013).”SpOILed” Director Mark Mathis Talks <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W4aSw9ZkJg>
Throupe, R., Robert A. Simons, and Xue M.. “A review of hydro “fracking” and its potential effects on real estate.” Journal of Real Estate Literature 21 (2) (2013): 205-32.
Stille, Darlene R. The Greenhouse Effect: Warming the Planet. Minneapolis, Minn: Compass Point Books, 2006. Print.
Levant, Ezra. Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands. Toronto, Ont: McClelland & Stewart, 2010. Print.
Joe H. Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking in the Williston Basin, 2014 Montana < http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/hydrofracking_w.html>