Like most modern natural disasters, Hurricane Katrina brought not only ferocious winds and rain but also fueled the ferocious energy battle.

The hurricane, in devastating the Gulf states, also damaged their oil production, sparking an increase in gas and oil costs. Many American drivers mourned not only the tragedy of the area’s destruction but also the tragic price of filling up.

Katrina has made it clear: something must be done about the country’s energy crisis. Many people-especially those with little money to spare-rashly argue that the solution is to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for drilling. In any other circumstance, they may not support the destruction of a wildlife refuge-such as the ANWR. But the most recent gas hike could make anyone irrational. Conveniently, Congress will be presenting a budget in two weeks which, if passed, would give the clear to crack the ice.

Thus the 20-year battle to drill or not to drill rages on. But students sick of paying ridiculous prices for gas and have turned pro-drill should consider other solutions to the energy crisis. Drilling in the refuge will cause permanent damage to the ecosystem of the area, wreaking havoc on the wildlife. All of this permanent damage-which, unlike Katrina’s, cannot be repaired-will far outweigh the short-term benefits of drilling in an area that may not contain as much oil as predicted. I don’t want my grandchildren to beg me to see the polar bear bones exhibit while we’re checking out the dinosaurs.

Furthermore, the technology needed to extract and process that oil will take 15 years to create, said Rebecca Van Damm of the Alaska Coalition of New York, who is launching a chapter of the group on campus this fall.

‘In that time, we could solve our energy crisis,’ Van Damm said.

Americans must push the government to solve the nation’s energy crisis by refusing the Band-Aid of drilling in the arctic, creating another future disaster, and invest in clean and efficient energy, public transportation and benefits for those who purchase hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, to solve their individual energy crisis, students could car pool, ride a bike, even (gasp) walk. It’s not a tragedy, and it could be worse, as anyone living in the Gulf states would point out.

Jean Stevens is a senior magazine journalism, women’s studies and political science major. You can e-mail her at jmstev03@syr.edu.

Published on August 31, 2005 at 12:00 pm