Instructions
Essay 2 Assignment (100 points): Respond to the bolded question below in a 3-5 page essay. Before beginning this assignment, read below the Thought Prompt, Documentary Synopses, Possible Actions, REQUIRED Mechanics of the Essay, REQRUIED Structure of the Essay, and the Essay Rubric. [DO NOT REVIEW THE FILM, this is not the assignment. Rather answer the prompt question and follow instructions!] BE SURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW REGARDING MECHANICS and STRUCTURE. ALSO BELOW, REVIEW THE RUBRIC I WILL USE TO GRADE THE ESSAY.
Prompt Question: Who should be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and impacts of technology development on the extraction of natural resources?
Documentary Synopses
Documentary 1: Blue Gold – Water Wars The water crisis. Unfortunately, just talking about the water crisis isn’t just muttering about a gloom and doom prediction of what could happen if we don’t straighten up and fly right. It is happening, and it is nearly upon us. If you need evidence, there is plenty of it in a new documentary highlighting the science, politics, and future of water on planet Earth entitled “Blue Gold: World Water Wars.” Blue Gold documents the environmental issues behind why we are rapidly losing our fresh water supplies, the politics behind water ownership and distribution that are worsening the situation, and the scenarios of what will happen as water becomes increasingly scarce. The documentary looks at how we are using up water faster than it can be replenished through natural systems – we are mining as much as 15 times more groundwater than is being replenished, at the rate of 30 billion gallons a day. We’re also polluting it beyond use, destroying wetlands that are natural filters, and blocking the rivers that carry nutrients that keep the water healthy and lands fertile. Basically, we’re desertifying the planet, and helping to send all our fresh water straight to the ocean via soil erosion, building more and more hardscaps, and cutting down forests. Water expert Dr. Michael Kravcik states in the film that we’re only about 50 years from a collapse in the planet’s water systems.
It also analyses the solutions we’ve come up with so far, from shipping water to desalinatin, and the side effects that negate the benefits. It shows that anything short of serious conservation will do little good. Agriculture, building, product production, soft drinks, pollution… we have to completely overhaul the way we use water if we want to avoid serious wars over this precious resource in the near future. The countries that have it will gain significant power, the countries that don’t will have to fight for it. Or, we fight for it now, through activism, conservation, and coming up with technologies that that help us conserve and purify the water we have, so that we can avoid world-wide water wars. Ultimately the world’s water supply is at risk of disappearing, and rich or poor, no one can’t escape it.
Documentary 2: Gasland II is a 2010 American documentary written and directed by Josh Fox. The film focuses on communities in the United States affected by natural gas drilling and, specifically, a method of horizontal drilling into shale formations known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Along with Gasland, Gasland II was a key mobilizer for the anti-fracking movement. Gasland II follows on from Gasland three years later. It continues to document how the stakes have risen on all sides on this environmental issue which is spreading around the globe. The sequel further enriches the argument that the gas industry’s portrayal of natural gas as being clean and an alternative to oil is false. Over time, fracked wells are known to leak and inevitably vent powerful greenhouse gases such as methane, a greenhouse gas which is known to be over twenty times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide, another harmful greenhouse gas. Additionally, fracking wells have been known to contaminate local ground water. Gasland II continues to question the role of corporations in the pursuit of exploiting natural resources.
[Synopsis: Gasland I. Fox narrates his reception of a letter in May, 2008, from a natural gas company offering to lease his family’s land in Milanville, PA for $100,000 so that they can drill for gas. Fox is aware that many of his neighbors have received such letters. In making his decision, Fox sets out to see how communities are being affected by fracking. A natural gas drilling boom, fracking, has been underway for the last decade in many communities in Western U.S, e.g., Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas. Fox spends time with citizens in their homes and on their land as they relay their stories of natural gas drilling in their communities. He speaks with residents who have experienced a variety of chronic health problems directly traceable to contamination of their air, of their water wells and/or of the surface water. In some instances, the residents are reporting that they obtained a court injunction or settlement money from gas companies to replace the affected water supplies with drinkable water or with water purification systems.
Throughout the documentary, Fox reaches out to scientists, politicians, and gas industry executives and ultimately finds himself in the halls of Congress as a subcommittee was discussing the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, “a bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal an exemption so that hydraulic fracking can legally occur. Hydraulic fracturing, fracking, was exempted from the Safe Drinking Water Act in the Energy Policy of 2005.
REQUIRED Format of the Essay
REQUIRED Structure of the Essay
(Follow the instructions and bold where asked)
Introductory Paragraph – “tell me what you’re going to tell me”
Body of the Paper – “tell me”
Conclusion – “tell me what you told me”
Required Personal Reflection:
The development and implementation of technology in the extraction of natural resources have significant environmental, social, and economic implications. As such, the question arises: Who should be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and impacts of technology in natural resource extraction? This essay explores this question by examining the documentaries “Blue Gold: World Water Wars” and “Gasland II,” which shed light on the environmental consequences of water depletion and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). By analyzing the issues raised in these documentaries and considering the perspectives of various stakeholders, we can determine the appropriate entities responsible for overseeing technology development in natural resource extraction.
The responsibility for overseeing the development, implementation, and impacts of technology in natural resource extraction should be shared among governments, regulatory bodies, scientific experts, and community stakeholders to ensure sustainable practices, protect the environment, and safeguard the well-being of affected communities.
In approaching this topic, we adopt a perspective that emphasizes the need for collaborative governance involving multiple stakeholders. This approach recognizes the complexity of the issue and the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes related to technology development in natural resource extraction.
The government and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in overseeing the development and impacts of technology in natural resource extraction. They are responsible for creating and enforcing regulations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and conducting thorough assessments of proposed projects. Additionally, governments should prioritize the protection of natural resources and the well-being of communities affected by extraction activities. Chapter 3 of our textbook highlights the importance of government intervention in managing natural resources sustainably.
Scientific experts and research institutions provide valuable insights into the environmental impacts of technology development in natural resource extraction. Their expertise helps inform policy decisions and contributes to the development of sustainable practices. By conducting research and sharing their findings, scientists can raise awareness about the potential risks and identify mitigation strategies. Chapter 4 of our textbook discusses the role of scientific research in addressing environmental challenges.
Local communities directly affected by natural resource extraction should have a say in overseeing technology development. Their firsthand experiences and concerns regarding environmental pollution, health issues, and socio-economic impacts provide valuable perspectives that should be considered. Community stakeholders, including indigenous groups, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens, can contribute through activism, advocating for transparency, community engagement, and responsible resource management.
In conclusion, responsible oversight of technology development in natural resource extraction necessitates the involvement of multiple stakeholders. Governments and regulatory bodies should establish robust frameworks and enforce regulations to ensure sustainable practices. Scientific experts and research institutions play a vital role in providing evidence-based guidance and monitoring environmental impacts. Community stakeholders, through activism and engagement, can hold accountable those involved in extraction activities. Collaboration among these entities is crucial to balance the economic benefits of resource extraction with environmental conservation and community well-being. By working together, we can mitigate the negative impacts of technology development on natural resource extraction and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Addressing the topic of responsible oversight of technology development in natural resource extraction has highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental issues, governance, and community well-being. It has underscored the need for inclusive decision-making processes that consider the perspectives and experiences of all stakeholders involved. As an individual, I am now more aware of the importance of sustainable practices and the potential consequences of unchecked technology development. I believe that proactive collaboration and engagement with affected communities are crucial steps toward ensuring a balanced and equitable approach to natural resource extraction.
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