TO THE EDITOR:
North Carolinians have a reputation for fighting to protect our environment. The current fight against offshore drilling is another big opportunity to show the pride we have in our state.
Over 100 municipalities on the coast have spoken against offshore drilling — and that’s great. But the effort should be consistent throughout the Piedmont and western North Carolina. We have to recognize the billions of dollars in revenue from our thriving tourism and fishing economies that drilling would put at risk.
And don’t be fooled! These oil companies are not your next door neighbor’s homegrown business. The executives of BP, Exxon and others plant their wells where they want and go back home where they’re safe from the immediate consequences of a spill. It’s companies like these to which we’d be entrusting the future of our state.
When I think of the North Carolina coast I’m reminded of days I spent enjoying its natural beauty, resting on sandy beaches and soaking up the sun. When oil companies think of the North Carolina coast they see a resource to exploit for today ... It’s time for all of us to make up our minds on this issue because it’s up to us to cherish our state enough to stand up and protect it, otherwise no one else will.
Paris Evans
Sophomore
Environmental studies
