Oil Drilling in Alaska

Author's Note: I disagree with drilling in Alaska and in this essay I shared the dangers and risks of drilling. Also you will read quotes from different author's and their opinion's on drilling in Alaska.


Why do the majority of people in the U.S think drilling in Alaska will help themselves and their business, when we should also step into the view of the animals and wilderness? I strongly disagree with the idea of drilling in Alaska because of all of the animals that could be hurt. Tim Woody states on wilderness.org, “The first news from Alaska’s North Slope reads like the beginning of a disaster movie. Oil workers on a drilling rig hit a pocket of gas and quickly evacuate to avoid the hazard of an explosion as gas bursts from the ground. The well is out of control and an estimated 42,000 gallons of drilling mud spills onto the Arctic tundra.” In other words drilling may not only hurt the wilderness but the citizens of the U.S. Also if there were to be an explosion, animals and/or people may be injured by not escaping quickly enough.

“The areas have been open for drilling for years and the companies have paid billions of dollars to the federal government for the right to explore for oil and gas on them,” says Steve Hargreaves from money.cnn.com.” As said in the first paragraph, something could seriously go wrong and suddenly lead to tragedy, then not only would we lose work for drilling, but billions of dollars that were put into drill.

Not only is it money that could be a problem, but the transportation. While transporting oil to other destinations there’s a possibility of an oil spill that could hurt many animals in the ocean and cause a lot of extra work for our country. For example, last year in the Gulf of Mexico there was an oil spill that killed 11 workers along with many innocent animals in the ocean.170 million gallons of toxic oil was spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. Everyone pitched in to help wash animals and the beach, but the people of the Gulf still live with it everyday. “We cannot continue to place the lives of our workers, the health of our waters, the survival of coastal economies, and the wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico at greater and greater risk to sustain our costly and dangerous dependence on oil.” Says nrdc.org. There are too many risks we are putting in front of these workers and it needs to stop before it gets too late.

Some economic issues can sometimes be ignored to resolve other issues. Although, when animals and citizens are jeopardy of losing money and possibly their lives that’s something that should be resolved immediately. As paragraphs above, is dangerous, risky, and harmful for not only the animals of the wilderness, but the U.S. Our country is already struggling with money more than we ever have and now is not the time risk it all, meaning our lives, money, and wildlife.

I believe that drilling in Alaska should not be allowed, for the purpose our countries safety. I hope all of the readers see the causes of drilling and immediately change their mind and think of the harmful effect it can have on the wilderness of Alaska. Imagine men and women coming in big yellow construction hats and big tractors and tools about to drill into your neighborhood! Having to watch all of the miserable and confused animals wondering what those workers are doing to their home? I also want the readers to think of the workers and their dangers of spills or explosions. Drilling in Alaska is a dangerous and risky task, and I do not believe the United States is in the right place to do so.

A Selfish King

Author's Note: This is a story about a very selfish frog king, named Toby, who keeps everything for himself and doesn't realize why none of the animals of forest don't like him. So Toby tries to find ways to make it up to the animals.

One day there was a frog name Toby. He was thinking of the forest, never did he have to worry about going hungry, or being cold, or having no where to live. He ruled the enchanting forest but there was on problem, none of the animals thought he was a good king! He would do his best to improve the forest and keep it safe and sound for all of the creatures that have lived amongst the forest since birth. On a dreary evening when everyone was moping around the forest Toby got an idea! He decided maybe the animals of the forest wanted to be entertained? So he went on his way and hired a chorus of turtles. Then Toby looked around to see if anyone was enjoying the music, but its seemed as if no one even noticed the turtles! Toby was very sad. Just when he was about to leave he noticed a group of young porcupines sitting on the ground with a ball in hand and very sad. Then it came to him! We need a playground for all the young animals of the forest, that will work for sure! So he hired the handy man, Monkey Joe, to come put up a play ground for all to enjoy. Once it was up the young animals didn’t even look at it! “Look you porcupines, did you notice the wonderful playground I have put up for you?”, “I don’t really want to play on the playground” moped a down porcupine. “Why I’ve given you everything you’d need to have a enjoyable forest!” Toby said questionably. “What else do you want?” “We want you” said the little porcupine. Me? Why would they want me? Toby thought to himself. “We want a king who cares for us, or who comes to spend time with us and not stay in his castle to play with his fancy things.” Right then Toby noticed he has been selfish, giving himself everything he ever wanted when people in the forest are very hungry, but they never ask for anything and I always ask for new things. From then on Toby would have festivals in the forest every week and would give to the hungry and thirsty animals. Everybody loves the forest now and so does Toby.  

Catching Fire

Author's Note: In this essay I explain the wonderful adventures you face in the book, Catching Fire. This book really realed me in and never once did I want to put it down. This book made me feel I was in the adventures right besides Katniss, Peeta, and the rest of the gang. I hope you enjoy it and it will inspire you to read the series!



You get home after a situation where you’re most likely to be slaughtered. Then the next thing you know, you’re forced back in the arena were you where promised you’d never have to step foot in ever again. The nightmares, memories, both physical and emotional scars that, that arena has brought you, you must and will repeat them. Catching Fire, as some of you may know, is the second book in the Hunger Games series. I couldn’t have thought of a better ending for the book, or both the books for that matter; leaving you running to the nearest book store to get the next book in the series. The Hunger Games series, by Suzanne Collins is by far my favorite series. She makes you really think on what will happen next and has an amazing talent with writing and reeling in the reader.

Suzanne Collins did an incredible job writing the series, one thing she did that made the book as famous as it is today is the character development. I have never been able to imagine a character so clearly in my mind while reading this book. For example, when the capitol started to target her she had to become a real woman and act mature, because it was the capitol of the country she was dealing with and not a friend she's known since birth. Also Suzanne did a beautiful job when she was describing Peeta and his unconditional love for Katniss. Every scene and setting from every chapter seemed so surreal like I’ve been there before. During the Quarter Quell, or the Hunger Games, is when a lot of the setting detail really started to form in my mind. That’s why it was really fun to see the movie trailers, because once it showed all the characters and settings I was so excited I was like, “That’s exactly how I pictured him or her to look like!” I’m very impressed with how great of a job she did and I’m excited to see how it all come together in the movie to connections with how I imagined the setting or characters to be.

While reading Catching Fire, I couldn’t help but notice how throughout all the chapters of the book during the games, Katniss never once saw an injured tribute and walked away. She would help them up and nurse them back to health with all she had, even though they were put into that arena to compete and win. I really admire her about that and hope that I can be like that and put myself aside to help others when they’re helpless. For example when she saw Mags she couldn't help but fish her out of the lake while she was drowning and help her. In the book she always had troubles finding herself and what her gift is. I believe Katniss's gift is to lay down her life to help others and put them first when they’re in need.

From the beginning to the end of Catching Fire, not only were the characteristics a phenomenal feature in the book, but also the thrilling adventure. As pages and pages went on, I couldn’t help but repeatedly think to myself I wouldn’t be able to put the book down until I found all the answers to my questions. There was never a moment in the book, or even the series as a whole that I was thinking to myself, Okay this part is kind of boring, speed it up. It always kept me entertained and I never felt like I had something better to read.

Catching Fire was a fantastic book; I never thought that I could ever read a book so quickly! It was a concoction of happiness, adventures, and danger. I would recommend it to anyone who’s up for a thrilling ride. To be honest I’ve never been a big reader, but once I got my hands on this book, I felt as if I was a completely different person reading for so much. Catching Fire is a great book for people of all ages, strap your seat belt and get ready for an adventure once again, and maybe you’ll enjoy just as much as I did.