Band 6+: The global demand for oil and gas is increasing. Some believe that we should therefore encourage the exploitation of remote areas. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

There is an ever-increasing need for fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, all over the world. Therefore, some people claim that fossil fuels and resources in far-off regions should be exploited. While this phenomenon has certain merits, including reduced environmental damage and people’s well-being, I believe that the disadvantages- rising fuel prices and military interventions- are far more significant.

On the one hand, the primary advantage of exploiting fossil fuels in remote areas is that it may cause less direct environmental harm to people. When oil and gas are extracted in remote areas, the resulting air pollution and water pollution is less likely to affect to populated areas. As a result, factories that burn fossil fuels and release chemical waste can be located in uninhabited regions, which may results in better outcome in peoples’ health and well-being. Furthermore, remote areas may contain previously unknown areas. Since existing reserves are being depleted, governments may need to search for alternative locations. This is because these places can be possible solution.

Despite these advantages, the disadvantages of this proposal are more serious. One major concern of this trend is that if far-off regions are exploited, it may cause the rising fuel prices. This is because, building infrastructure, employing workers, and transporting things from distant areas, require substantial investment. When governments invest more money in this project, they may increase the fuel prices; thereby, not-elite group cannot afford to purchase it. In addition, by exploiting far-off areas may pose to some military conflicts, which eventually affect to peoples’ lives. For example, conflicts have occurred in some Gulf countries after large oil reserves were discovered.

In conclusion, while it is true that exploiting remote areas enables people to be healthier and reduces environmental damages, including water pollution and air pollution, I believe that it cannot overweigh its serious disadvantages, such as rises in fuel costs and some military conflicts.