How is Drilling for oil damaging the Environment?

Why is oil drilling so bad for the environment?

• i know nothing about oil drilling, but with modern technology, why does this have to equate to environmental rape? can't they be careful? are there spills? do you have to level mountains to begin drilling? i thought we already brought all kinds of oil here through the alaskan pipeline, is this something new? i'm non partisan, just trying to figure out how drilling equals disaster.

• Answer:

  That is a good question. There is no quick answer. I will not bore you with a three page essay, or a three year study of "off shore oil spills". A major problem is oil corporations that exist for bottom line this quarter profits don't reinvest in routine maitenence. West Texas has frequent refinery fires costing lives, and the refineries process crude oil that was drilled. I am sure there are many oil spill related problems we don't hear about because Britney Kfed took the spotlight in the Giganitcorp dog and pony show that is media. For me the problem is nations that are hostile to western democracy and things like a woman's rights to drive or not have to wear a head to toe bed sheet in public have the most oil reserves on the planet and the solution is alternative fuels. I used to be more liberal about the middle east but though I think there are many nice people trying to be good who profess Islam as a faith of "peace", among them are too many who would force it down our throats and on examination the actual holy books of this faith that rules Oil Rich countries are clearly hostile to all other faiths and systems of law. Until MIT has found a way to harness solar energy for everyday use, and that day is coming, we must use less oil. Use of fossil fuels increases carbon emissions and that leads to fun things like global warming, increased storms and climate change. If Americans reduce carbon emissions by 2% a year we will reduce them by 80% in the year 2050. Change in our lifetime. How? Drive less, drive the speed limit, don't tailgate as rapid braking and accelerating eats gas, check tirepressure and use cruise control. I can get 34mpg in my 1990 Cadilac on the Highway and I bike in town or walk if it's less than 5 blocks. Plastics are petroleum based too, how many water bottles do we throw away because there is not a convienient recycling program nearby? My solution is a 10cent deposit on all individual size beverage containers. But I said no three page answer, so adieu.