FISH 101: Water & Society
The following is my Second Debate preparation, Assigned the side of Pro Miners.
Mining Organizations and the Pebble Mining Conflict in Alaska
From the supporting perspective, many benefits can be provided from the construction of the Pebble Mine. One primary benefit comes from the idea of “green energy”, and ever developing idea and modern day society as our resources continue to deplete. Copper is one of the strongest elements in conductivity and is used by household appliances, personal electronic accessories, mass transportation and more. With the growing population and the constant demand for such items, the surplus of copper would not only boost the economy but also have the potential of lower costs of such items for the consumers. Furthermore, the surplus of copper would be substantial, incredibly, as this would be one of the largest copper mines in history. Therefore, the second benefit would arise through the production of electric vehicles. As fossil fuels are becoming a scarcity, the rise in copper would aid in the efforts of producing electric vehicles as they require over twice as much copper found in a regular vehicle. Finally, the third benefit would arise through the employment services offered via the construction, maintenance, and take down of the mine. The current unemployment rate of Alaska is about 8% of the population (in 2013), and with the population being about 731,449 people, the amount unemployed would have been over 58,520 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. The pebble mining industry offers some of the best paid jobs in the economy and also provides health benefits and more. Furthermore, people may receive training and do not necessarily need a degree for the mining industry, and most workers will have over 25 years of employment.
The environmental risks of the operation have been suspected of leading to the potential degradation of the local watersheds and salmon populations, a major resource of the native Alaskans. However, thorough maintenance and federal regulations will not only provide more jobs but will also assist in the prevention of leaks and toxic pollution. An argument proposed has been that of an earthquake causing the destruction of the dam and allowing treated mine waste to enter the watershed affecting the salmon populations. A solution to this would be the preventive measures taken through the monitoring of constructive walls along the watershed which will only be dropped and locked during the event of an earthquake, allowing the security of downstream populations.
Furthermore, the amount of environmental benefits would largely outweigh the possible risks. For example, solar panels are increasingly necessary as an alternate energy use for structural energy supply. Copper was tested by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy as being over 20% more efficient than the currently used silver, providing more energy at a cheaper cost. Furthermore, the copper lasted far longer than the silver and withstood extreme weather conditions where silver tended to degrade. Finally, with the additional surplus of copper from the mine, more solar panels could be produced and distributed across the nation, limiting the amount of fossil fuels and hydropower (water consumption) used. Another environmental benefit stems from the production of energy. All energy sources require a copper wire coil for conductivity, and the power generator is the only item which differs (coal, diesel or natural gas fuel, nuclear, hydropower, wind and more). However, fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources whereas wind and (in moderation) water is, allowing for more efficient energy generation for the copper turbines. Due to our depleted fossil fuel resources, more industries and regions are moving towards the renewable energy production and thus, that much copper will be necessary. The Pebble Partnership states that just a single wind turbine alone requires over four tons of copper. Furthermore, the US Department of Energy’s Wind Atlas of the United States declares Alaska as one of the most productive regions of wind and thus would benefit greatly from wind powered energy. Finally, the Pebble Mine itself can be powered by wind energy as well.
Therefore, the supporting stance of the Pebble Mine relies on the benefits secured by a surplus of copper allowing for future productivity and economic prosperity from renewable resources, and through the production of, which foster new job opportunities for Alaskan natives.
Questions:
1. At what cost would the detriment of the fish affect the future health of the planet and regions through the use of fossil and carbon fuels? Are the fish not affected equally by these as well currently? And if so, how is this less of a threat than the potential threat of the mining industry?
2. In what ways are the salmon being affected by the local harvests as boats are needed and said boats rely on fossil fuels and many of those wastes conflict with the betterment or nature of the salmon and biota?
Marisa Elena Patrick
From the supporting perspective, many benefits can be provided from the construction of the Pebble Mine. One primary benefit comes from the idea of “green energy”, and ever developing idea and modern day society as our resources continue to deplete. Copper is one of the strongest elements in conductivity and is used by household appliances, personal electronic accessories, mass transportation and more. With the growing population and the constant demand for such items, the surplus of copper would not only boost the economy but also have the potential of lower costs of such items for the consumers. Furthermore, the surplus of copper would be substantial, incredibly, as this would be one of the largest copper mines in history. Therefore, the second benefit would arise through the production of electric vehicles. As fossil fuels are becoming a scarcity, the rise in copper would aid in the efforts of producing electric vehicles as they require over twice as much copper found in a regular vehicle. Finally, the third benefit would arise through the employment services offered via the construction, maintenance, and take down of the mine. The current unemployment rate of Alaska is about 8% of the population (in 2013), and with the population being about 731,449 people, the amount unemployed would have been over 58,520 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. The pebble mining industry offers some of the best paid jobs in the economy and also provides health benefits and more. Furthermore, people may receive training and do not necessarily need a degree for the mining industry, and most workers will have over 25 years of employment.
The environmental risks of the operation have been suspected of leading to the potential degradation of the local watersheds and salmon populations, a major resource of the native Alaskans. However, thorough maintenance and federal regulations will not only provide more jobs but will also assist in the prevention of leaks and toxic pollution. An argument proposed has been that of an earthquake causing the destruction of the dam and allowing treated mine waste to enter the watershed affecting the salmon populations. A solution to this would be the preventive measures taken through the monitoring of constructive walls along the watershed which will only be dropped and locked during the event of an earthquake, allowing the security of downstream populations.
Furthermore, the amount of environmental benefits would largely outweigh the possible risks. For example, solar panels are increasingly necessary as an alternate energy use for structural energy supply. Copper was tested by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy as being over 20% more efficient than the currently used silver, providing more energy at a cheaper cost. Furthermore, the copper lasted far longer than the silver and withstood extreme weather conditions where silver tended to degrade. Finally, with the additional surplus of copper from the mine, more solar panels could be produced and distributed across the nation, limiting the amount of fossil fuels and hydropower (water consumption) used. Another environmental benefit stems from the production of energy. All energy sources require a copper wire coil for conductivity, and the power generator is the only item which differs (coal, diesel or natural gas fuel, nuclear, hydropower, wind and more). However, fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources whereas wind and (in moderation) water is, allowing for more efficient energy generation for the copper turbines. Due to our depleted fossil fuel resources, more industries and regions are moving towards the renewable energy production and thus, that much copper will be necessary. The Pebble Partnership states that just a single wind turbine alone requires over four tons of copper. Furthermore, the US Department of Energy’s Wind Atlas of the United States declares Alaska as one of the most productive regions of wind and thus would benefit greatly from wind powered energy. Finally, the Pebble Mine itself can be powered by wind energy as well.
Therefore, the supporting stance of the Pebble Mine relies on the benefits secured by a surplus of copper allowing for future productivity and economic prosperity from renewable resources, and through the production of, which foster new job opportunities for Alaskan natives.
Questions:
1. At what cost would the detriment of the fish affect the future health of the planet and regions through the use of fossil and carbon fuels? Are the fish not affected equally by these as well currently? And if so, how is this less of a threat than the potential threat of the mining industry?
2. In what ways are the salmon being affected by the local harvests as boats are needed and said boats rely on fossil fuels and many of those wastes conflict with the betterment or nature of the salmon and biota?
Marisa Elena Patrick