Article Title: Why Environmental Groups are Taking the Norwegian Government to Court
Author: Hannah Hoag
PUblished: October 25th, 2016
www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/10/25/why-environmental-groups-are-taking-the-norwegian-government-to-court
Article Summary:
The Norwegian government is facing a lawsuit from Greenpeace Nordic and Nature & Youth after announcing a licensing round in January 2015 that would result in drilling of oil in the Barents Sea. The organizations fear that the drilling would harm the arctic and icrease the melting of ice. They also believe that Norway would violate the Paris Agreement which is an agreement Norway signed that would limit its emission of greenhouse gases. The sea ice edge has already been decreasing and may decrease at an even greater rate if drilling is to be done. However, the oil revenue in Norway has halved in the last decade. Finding oil in the Barents Sea could create new jobs and improve the Norwegian economy. The case will be decided by the Oslo District Court.
Thoughts/Observations of Article
This article has two viewpoints. One is environmental while the other is through economics. I support the environmental viewpoint but can also understand the economic viewpoint. Norway becoming an even wealthier country would benefit its people and create more jobs. However, the long term impact would be a decline in the environment which could result in more greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere resulting in the melting of the arctic which would cause a rise in sea level. It is important for the Norwegian government to take this into account before beginning their drilling. I understand how beneficial oil could be to the economy, but it is more important for Norway's future to preserve the environment for future generations.
How the Article Relates to Politics
This article is important to politics as it signifies difficult decisions the government may have to make to satisfy its people. Sometimes, doing one good thing like helping the economy could harm another such as the economy. It shows the impact politics has on a country's choices. One leader may want to drill in the Barents Sea while another may not want to. Both of these leaders viewpoints can be seen differently for the population depending on whether economics is more important than the environment or the other way around. People have the ability in countries such as Norway to select political leaders that not only impact their country, but the entire planet.
Author: Hannah Hoag
PUblished: October 25th, 2016
www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/10/25/why-environmental-groups-are-taking-the-norwegian-government-to-court
Article Summary:
The Norwegian government is facing a lawsuit from Greenpeace Nordic and Nature & Youth after announcing a licensing round in January 2015 that would result in drilling of oil in the Barents Sea. The organizations fear that the drilling would harm the arctic and icrease the melting of ice. They also believe that Norway would violate the Paris Agreement which is an agreement Norway signed that would limit its emission of greenhouse gases. The sea ice edge has already been decreasing and may decrease at an even greater rate if drilling is to be done. However, the oil revenue in Norway has halved in the last decade. Finding oil in the Barents Sea could create new jobs and improve the Norwegian economy. The case will be decided by the Oslo District Court.
Thoughts/Observations of Article
This article has two viewpoints. One is environmental while the other is through economics. I support the environmental viewpoint but can also understand the economic viewpoint. Norway becoming an even wealthier country would benefit its people and create more jobs. However, the long term impact would be a decline in the environment which could result in more greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere resulting in the melting of the arctic which would cause a rise in sea level. It is important for the Norwegian government to take this into account before beginning their drilling. I understand how beneficial oil could be to the economy, but it is more important for Norway's future to preserve the environment for future generations.
How the Article Relates to Politics
This article is important to politics as it signifies difficult decisions the government may have to make to satisfy its people. Sometimes, doing one good thing like helping the economy could harm another such as the economy. It shows the impact politics has on a country's choices. One leader may want to drill in the Barents Sea while another may not want to. Both of these leaders viewpoints can be seen differently for the population depending on whether economics is more important than the environment or the other way around. People have the ability in countries such as Norway to select political leaders that not only impact their country, but the entire planet.