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No. The industrial revolution is over and we need to put away all vestiges of that era. There was once a time when it made sense for nations to harness the natural resources of the land but the vast majority of those resources have been harnessed and consumed. It is time for our attitudes to evolve; to look for renewable sources of energy and materials. In fact, we should have been utilizing renewable resources long ago.

What do we really have to gain from drilling in such remote places? Of course a few people may be able to line their pockets by doing so, hence the push by some to open up places like national parks and Antarctica, but how does this help everyone else? When it comes to employment how long would such a project last? What kind of environmental damage will this do and how much will we expect to get from such mining? It seems to me that mining in Antarctica is a short term solution for a long term problem. It won't solve our energy problems at all. Most likely it will cause far more problems rather than solve anything.

The earth needs time to replenish its natural resources and that won't happen with humans constantly mining, digging and using up resources irresponsibly. It's like having a bank account with a large sum of money in it. After time through much use, funds decrease. When your funds become very low it's time to replenish the account, not continue withdrawing from it and writing checks against it until you find yourself in the red! The earth is able to replenish and repair itself but it needs our help to do that. What the generations now living must do is look for alternative fuels and resources.

Nuclear power, solar power, wind power and alternative fuels are what we need to develop on a large scale today. Mining Antarctica and places like it won't solve the energy issues we face today nor will it bestow our economy with any long term benefits. We need something that is infinite, not finite and we need to find a process in which to harness it that won't tax the earth anymore than we already have. Look at what damage we've already done to the earth! Antarctica holds most of the earth's fresh water reserves and ice - both fresh water and ice are things the human race depends on in order to survive on this planet. The last thing we need is private corporations backed by governments who turn a blind eye towards what could likely happen. Corporations and governments already have a lousy track record when it comes to stewardship of the earth. Too many people that run these entities have shown that they have no compunction about destroying the environment for profit. Why should anyone believe that our fresh water is safe if drilling and mining is allowed in Antarctica? What about the ice that cools the planet and keeps it from becoming an unlivable hothouse? Look at the many environmental disasters they have created over the decades! They don't care about the earth, about animal life or even human life if it gets in the way of profit making and taking. Look at how their irresponsible acts damage working communities and the health of people in those communities. The Exxon Valdez spill is a case in point!

Mining Antarctica is an idea that needs to be nixed right away! What we need are people with the will to think about and implement long term responsible solutions to our energy needs. It's time to graduate from 19th century "natural resource baron" type thinking and come into the 21st century! The original timber, coal, railroad, and oil barons are all dead. Let the attitudes that built the 20th century remain in the 20th century. It's time for our attitudes towards energy consumption to evolve.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Jeffrey.
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