Section: Social Studies

116) From the point of view of an environmentalist, which is probably the most significant argument against offshore drilling for oil?

1. There is little need to take such natural resources from the ocean waters.
2. Oil corporations are falsely advertising an oil shortage in order to expand their drilling operations.
3. The potential oil to be found is not worth the capital investment needed to extract it.
4. The possible harm to the balance of nature is more important than a gain in energy.
5. Coal is a preferable resource to oil.

Oil spills have repeatedly ruined the recreational value of beaches and destroyed fish and birdlife, causing both economic and ecological damage.