Dear Governor,
It has come to my attention that the state of New York has decided to reopen the debate regarding the ban of hydrofracking within the Marcellus Shale region. As a lifelong New York resident, this news is deeply concerning, and I worry that a reversal of our state’s current position on hydrofracking will have tremendous consequences for our citizens and the surrounding environment. I am fully aware of the potential benefits that some stakeholders may value but I do not feel that they offset the grave risks associated with this energy intensive and environmentally destructive process. The possible harm to water systems, coupled with the substantial ecological damage and ambient air pollution is incredibly troubling to me, as a resident. I hope to use this letter, outlining detrimental economic impact, environmental destruction, and public health ramifications, to dissuade you from allowing hydrofracking operations in New York.
Our writers can help you with any type of essay. For any subject
Order now
Proponents of hydraulic fracturing intend to drill untapped Marcellus Shale to generate electricity. However, money intended for that purpose can be better invested in other opportunities for environmental advancement, given that New York can use solar and wind power to generate over 50% of electricity by 2030 (Mosenthal et al., 2014). This is a clear waste of economic resources, similar to how much money is wasted in damaging roads and transportation routes near well sites. Specifically, Dutzik and his colleagues (2012) found that hydrofracking is a tremendous strain on public roads and existing infrastructure. A major issue is that it is taxpayer money that is being wasted in such damaging projects. Taxpayers often have to pay for projects, such as hydrofracking and associated maintenance costs, which can put a strain on surrounding communities. Also, communities suffer from declining property costs in close proximities to hydrofracking wells (McMahon, 2014). McMahon (2014) found that properties with private drinking water wells dropped as much as 22% in value. These shocking financial repercussions can clearly affect taxpayers, communities, and property values alike, which is a detriment to New York as a whole.
In addition to economic threats, there are multiple environmental hazards associated with hydrofracking. First, a tremendous amount of both surface and ground water is used in high volume in hydrofracking wells (EPA, 2018). This can impact water levels for agriculture and negatively impact areas where rising temperatures have lessened water levels. Second, as many as 10 million gallons can be pumped into a single well, which could impact water availability when water is a limited resource, such as during a drought (DOE, 2018). While this is not currently an issue in New York, we are currently seeing California face the harsh realities of a drought and should take precautions. Third, water contamination can be significant and can persist for years after a spill or contamination event takes place. Therefore, if contaminants are observed in spills sites then the impacts can be enduring. Finally, aside from water-related issues, natural gas and oil development is also at risk if hydrofracking occurs. Air quality risks are generally due to pollutants, such as dust and exhaust emissions near fracking sites. Similarly, the drilling process associated with hydraulic fracturing may release chemicals, such as benzene and methane, the latter of which is a very reactive greenhouse gas (DOE, 2018). In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it would be sensible for New York State to remain at the cutting edge of environmental safety initiatives. For example, the EPA recently issued New Source Performance Standards, which set the first air pollution standards for natural gas hydrofracking operations. These rules became effective in 2015, and include performance standards for oil and natural gas operations that are relevant to the processes of hydrofracking.
Finally, at the public health level, hydrofracking has hazardous impacts on public infrastructure and services. New York State can look at Texas, who is still feeling aftershocks from their hydrofracking experience, in the Barnett Shale region. Similarly, Pennsylvania estimated in 2010 that $265 million would be needed to repair damaged roads in the Marcellus Shale region. Aside from infrastructure damage, hydrofracking impacts water levels in regions that drilling occurs in. Fracking is alarmingly projected to account for 42% of mining water use by 2020 (Dutzik, Ridlington, & Rumpler, 2012). It also is associated with increased demands for public services. In a 2011 survey of Pennsylvania counties, (Dutzik et al., 2012) found that 911 calls had increased in nearly 90% of them. The demands of hydrofracking has broader impacts as well. For instance, farms in nearby areas are at risk of loss of livestock due to exposure to spills of fracking wastewater, difficulty in obtaining water supplies for farming, and conflict with organic agriculture. These findings are jarring, given that we can now see how fracking can impact the public health of New Yorkers at a micro and macro level.
Furthermore, there are a variety of human-specific health dangers associated with hydrofracking that all New Yorkers should be aware of. For example, toxic substances and wastewater, as well as air pollution from trucks and equipment, all result from fracking. These, naturally, are associated with a variety of negative health effects. In fact, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health recently warned workers against inhaling hazardous air due to pollution and silica dust at fracking sites. Specifically, they list lung disease silicosis as an occupational hazard for workers. This dust-induced occupational ailment has imposed $50 million in medical care expenses in the United States, in recent years (Dutzik et al., 2012). Additionally, fracking-associated smog and soot is often associated with a range of health problems, from respiratory issues to eye irritation. This not only has important implications for residents’ wellbeing, but also for organizational outcomes (e.g., absenteeism, productivity).
Given the potentially damaging and harmful risks to New York’s economy, environment, public health and citizens, it is not surprising that I am not alone in cautioning you against hydraulic fracturing. In fact, dozens of regions in New York State have already issued their own bans on hydrofracking and many local stakeholders (e.g., politicians, businesses, residents) warn that in addition to my aforementioned points, fracking will hurt New York’s prosperous tourism sector. So, Governor Cuomo, I hope that you will consider my plea and heed to your constituents who are speaking out against hydraulic fracturing and its long-term detrimental effects.
Politics During The Harlem Renaissance
Politics during the Harlem Renaissance was a very controversial time in the United States of America. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of change and a time where people wanted to bring about change, not just in culture, and literature, but politics as well.
The Harlem Renaissance brought about an explosion of African American art, music, literature, and so much more. However, there was uncertainty about whether Harlem had become the Negro metropolis, black Manhattan, the political, cultural, and spiritual center of African American and a city of refuge, or a black ghetto and emerging slum. The Harlem Renaissance was also known as “The New Negro Movement” because it made people realize and pay attention to all of the African American artists, writers and even politicians that were starting to become known during this time. African American music and art influenced politics by making people want to make a difference and wanting to bring about change in the world. While the Harlem Renaissance was a literary movement, it also was a time where all African Americans were touched by the use of art, and racial pride as well as equality. It was a time where many people were starting to really take black culture and literature seriously and attracted a large amount of attention from the nation.
Our writers can help you with any type of essay. For any subject
Order now
Marcus Garvey was one of few politicians during the Harlem Renaissance. Marcus was born Jamaica on August 17, 1887. “He was the leader of “Garveyism”, which was defined as an aspect of African American nationalism that refers to the economic and the political policies of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.”
(History 2009) The UNIA-ACL was dedicated to the unification and empowerment of African-American men, women, and children. As a group, the UNIA-ACL fought for “separate but equal” status for people of African ancestry and they sought to start independent black status around the world, primarily noticed in Liberia, which is on the west coast of Africa. Marcus authored the “Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World”. This document was ratified at the Universal Negro Improvement Association Convention at Madison Square Garden in 1920. Garvey was arrested in 1922 on charges of mail fraud and his projects began to collapse. Garvey then focused on putting his dreams toward the response to the marginalization and discrimination of African Americans in the United States. After Garvey was released from prison, he traveled to Switzerland to address the League of Nations on the issues of race and worldwide abuse of African-Americans.
Later during the Harlem Renaissance, the main theme was an effort to recapture the African American past. “ Interest in the African past corresponded with the rise of Pan-Africanism in African American politics, which was at the center of Marcus Garvey’s ideology and also a concern of W. E. B. Du Bois in the 1920s.” (Wintz 2015) Using his influence as editor of the Crisis, he promoted the work of many African American visual artists and writers W.E.B. Du Bois was a sociologist who decided to bring about political equality by taking his sociological ideas and presenting them to different people. He was also a civil rights activist which showed that he worked tirelessly to bring about racial equality in the United States. In 1905, Du Bois was a founder and general secretary of the Niagara Movement, an African American protest group of scholars and professionals which was a political movement to further the civil rights cause. The Movement stood apart from other black organizations at the time because of its powerful, unequivocal demand for equal rights.
W.E.B. Du Bois co-founded the N.A.A.C.P., also known as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1909. The NAACP has done a couple of different things during the Harlem Renaissance such as fighting for injustices. Some of these injustices include denial of voting rights, racial violence, and discrimination in employment as well as segregated public facilities. Brown V. Board of Education was a key victory in the organization’s history, it was the US Supreme Court’s decision that outlawed segregation in public schools. The NAACP was dedicated to the idea of an integrated society, leadership has always been interracial but the membership remained predominantly African American. When you become a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People they give you a membership card, this membership card is what makes you a member, it allows you to gain access to meetings, its similar to a citizenship document or a visa granting citizenship.
