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Oil is finite. Becuasse oil is finite, we need to eventually make plans to replace it. Oil production has been on a consistant rising trend. That means our finite oil is becoming more rare as each year passes. Eventually, we will hit peak oil production. This means there is no where to go but down as far as oil production on Earth, barring a mass extinction, and unnaturalally fast fossilization (we'll call that improbable enought to leave it from the discussion). Eventually, we cannot rely on oil as we do now.
There is a war about oil. People are being sent to secure nations that produce oil. People die in wars, including the war for oil.
There are three options with Peak Oil. The first option is to ignore it. The second option is to fight to the last drop (what we are doing so far). The third option is to find alternatives.
In other words, drilling in Alaska is a wonderful way to not deal with the problem. It is not an answer to prayers, but a bit more oil we spend now instead of getting later, or not getting at all. If we drill there and are able to extrace 100% of the oil, all that does is buy us a little time.
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