Alaska

Question 1

how long is it

Answer 1

800 miles

Question 2

what was the cost to build it

Answer 2

$8B

Question 3

how many barrels of oil were transported to the Port of Valdez using the Trans-Alaskan pipeline in 2010

Answer 3

226M

Question 4

How has the pipeline been modified to cope with the environment

Answer 4

Pipeline isn’t straight (its zig-zag) - moves w/env. instead of breaking due to seismic activity

Above ground - doesn’t melt permafrost

can be shut down to stop oil leaks

Question 5

Advantages of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline

7

Answer 5

1. trucks can only pass to Prudhoe bay 10 wks/yr (too dangerous), pipeline allows it to pass all yr
2. can transport up to 1.4M barrels of oil/day
3. Alaskans pay reduced tax - revenue from oil
4. better for env. - stops GHGs from trucks transport
5. provides jobs - boosts economy
6. income for country
7. could eventually switch to nuclear NRG w/enough $

Question 6

Disadvantages of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline

Answer 6

eyesore

may stop migration of Caribou, a common Alaskan species

Temp. of oil could melt permafrost - could lead to flooding / gas release

oil spills-although they take only 15mins to stop, a lotta oil is still gonna disrupt env.

when oil runs out, lots of jobs lost

Question 7

unsustainable activities in Alaska

4

Answer 7

Commercial fishing
tourism
oil drilling
whaling (in some parts)

Question 8

local opportunities of oil drilling

5

Answer 8

1. increased job prospect (44.8k ppl employed in oil)
2. every direct oil & gas job generates 20 additional jobs - 90% of the state revenue is generated from oil
3. increased demand 4 housing helps boost construction ind.
4. no tax allows SoL to increase, along w/personal wealth. This helps to increase spending - a multiplier effect

Question 9

international opportunities of oil drilling

2

Answer 9

1. lots of investment from companies such as BP / Royal Dutch Shell places Alaska on the map
2. no income tax in Alaska attracts lots of skilled workers to the areas

Question 10

where did the exxon valdez oil spill take place

Answer 10

Prince William Sound, Port of Valdez, Alaska, USA

Question 11

What happened in the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Answer 11

ruptured hull of oil supertanker after it ran aground. 40M litres of oil

Question 12

Why did the Exxon Valdez oil spill happen

Answer 12

captain was drunk and not at helm

Question 13

Short term environmental impacts of Exxon Valdez oil spill

Answer 13

Beaches & sea coated in oil - uninhabitable. Fish stocks gone. Bald eagles, gulls, killer whales, seals, sea otters died

Question 14

Long term environmental impacts of Exxon Valdez oil spill

Answer 14

Oil still found on shore 25 yrs later

Question 15

economic impacts of Exxon Valdez oil spill

Answer 15

tourism ind. lost +26k jobs & +$2.4B in sales

Question 16

social impacts of Exxon Valdez oil spill

Answer 16

fishermen suffered health problems such as Auto Immune Diseases which was blamed on the chemicals released from the oil spill

Question 17

What is the International Whaling Convention

Answer 17

includes a legally binding schedule which sets out catch limits

Question 18

How successful has the International Whaling Convention been

Answer 18

It has stopped all but the most highly motivated whale-hunting countries
88 member gov.s
only restricted hunting is allowed

Question 19

What is the Artic Council

Answer 19

A leading intergovernmental forum of 8 states promoting co-operation, co-ordination and interaction among the Arctic states and ppl in Arctic in general on common Arctic issues

Question 20

What is the Artic Council’s role in managing Alaska

4

Answer 20

• promotes discussion, involvement and progress on issues such as sustainable development & environmental protection
• Reduce pollution
• monitors environment
• advice to promote sustainable dev.

Question 21

what does Mike Dunleavy (Alaskan Governor) think of the use of Alaska

Answer 21

pro-oil drilling. wants to restore trust in gov.

Question 22

what does Donald Trump (Former US President) think of the use of Alaska

Answer 22

Trump opens up wilderness for oil drilling. Economic benefits

Question 23

what does Joe Biden (Current US President) think of the use of Alaska

Answer 23

Suspended Arctic drilling leases. (cares abt env.)

Question 24

What is Greenpeace

Answer 24

NGO dedicated to env. conservation and prot.; prevented overfishing & whaling.
pressure grp.

Question 25

What are Greenpeace doing to try and protect Alaska

Answer 25

Pressure on local gov.s & oil companies to stop oil drilling

Encouraging gov. to stop deforestation in Alaska. biodiversity & habitats preservation

Question 26

What are Greenpeace doing to try and protect the Arctic

Answer 26

Asking world leaders to create ‘a global sanctuary’ - no human activity