Why is it that in environmental debates such as the one now raging over oil drilling in Alaska and California, the opponents of development must always prove that the threatened resources have absolutely irreplaceable environmental value, while opponents need only offer the mere chance of economic value?
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the California coast are by all accounts two of our most precious natural treasures. Yet because we may find a relatively small amount of oil in these places, we are about to begin major drilling exploration there, with all the building, noise and pollution that it will cause.
Secretary of the Interior Donald Hodel claims the plan to allow exploration represents a fair ”compromise” between environmental and economic interests. It`s no compromise, though, when the standards of value are so much higher for one side than for the other. This oil drilling plan is a perfect example of how the odds are overwhelmingly stacked in favor of economic interests in our environmental policy decisions.
