Well, I guess that I can’t put this off any longer. I am in pretty much the same boat as Peggy. I find this class very interesting, but I’m not exactly very “economically smart”. I have been afraid that I will show my ignorance with what I write. Now after reading some of the blog comments, I am even more fearful. Some of you people are pretty scaryJ So here goes (and please be kind!!)….
I did read one comment that got to me. It stated that Alaska = Oil and that oil is responsible for everyone being here. I have to disagree, since I am third generation Alaskan and have been here since before the oil boom, so oil has nothing to do with me being here. So maybe this is the case for some people, but I would still be here regardless. That being said, I am very grateful for the oil, it has vastly improved my quality of life. However, I am worried about what is going to happen with the oil. One hears that production is slowing down and there needs to be more exploration, yet there are so many political obstacles. Is ACES good or bad, I don’t totally understand it well enough to have a clear idea. I think I know, but this is where my ignorance kicks in. I don’t understand why we have such high gas prices even though oil and gas are produced in our back yards. I understand the need for more exploration, and I understand how economically beneficial the Pebble Mine would be for our state. But then I think that as humans we are just destroying our earth for our own needs and what happens when the environment is so polluted that it cannot sustain life. It is such a conundrum. I don’t know which way I lean. I decide one thing and then start to think about the other side of the equation. I don’t like relying on politicians to decide for me. We need educated people, who really care about these issues to figure it out. My other question is, why are we relying so much on oil and minerals. They are great, but what is wrong with also supplementing with green energy ideas? Wouldn’t we be better off if we diversify? All these things concern me, but what concerns me most are the issues closer to home. As a divorced mom, will I ever be able to retire? Yikes! I am very lucky that I love my job, and I dearly love the state that I live in. I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place. As for what the economic future of the state is, I hope it all works out since I’m not going anywhere. My family came here during hard times and helped to colonize the Valley. This is my home no matter what.
Jon Marie Fritz
Nice job! I liked your suggestion of "diversifying" our use of resources. Our family's goal when I retire is to be using more renewable resources for energy. We hope to be using solar and/or wind to generate much of our home use energy. Hopefully prices of setting up solar and wind will continue to drop so that more people are able to use these forms of renewable energy!
ReplyDeleteJeri Kenyon
I have the same question - why aren't we supplementing with more green energy ideas in Alaska? As pointed out in one of our class discussions, we don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to renewable energy. Other countries have working systems in place. Our oil based economy is on shaky ground. It's way past time to get serious about renewable sources.
ReplyDeleteNancy Hjelm