By FRED HEATH
A member of Trustees for Alaska will discuss oil drilling and its impact on the Alaskan environment Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Center.
The Eco-Response club is sponsoring the speech by Stacey Marz, of the Trustees for Alaska, an environmental law and advocacy organization in Anchorage.
The film “Explore Cook Inlet, Alaska” will also be shown. The film highlights the scenery and wildlife, including whales, bears, eagles and salmon. The film was created by two time Emmy-award winning film maker Daniel Zatz, who has covered environmental issues on every continent, according to news release.
Marz will address the natural history and wildlife, and the threats which the ecosystem faces from proposed oil and gas development, according to news release.
“We want to increase awareness for Cook Inlet. The natural qualities it has and the wildlife are worth preserving,” Marz said. The Trustees are trying to keep southern Alaska from oil and gas drilling.
Marz said oil and gas drilling will destroy the ecosystem. She said it is important to keep the ecosystem healthy to preserve a variety of resources in the area, namely commercial and sport fishing.
“Many issues come from Alaska, and there is more and more pressure on Alaska to continue its drilling,” said David Hymas, a senior from Layton, majoring in public policy.
Hymas said this is an interesting issue to look at now — before it is too late. Many think Alaska is so big it is inexhaustible, Hymas said.
Marz’s speech will be a chance for students to discuss issues.
“This is an opportunity for people to explore the world outside of BYU and the different ecosystem that is found in Alaska,” said Margaret Blankenbiller, a sophomore from Rapid City, S.D., majoring in English.
Blankenbiller said that most students don’t have contact with the type of ecosystem found in Alaska, and the impact these issues can have on the environment.
She said even the smallest amount of tampering with the ecosystem can lead to serious damage.
“The arctic ecosystem is very delicate. You can do something very small that can lead to massive decimation of species. It can work its way up the ecosystem to whales and definitely humans,” Blankenbiller said.
“It is a film with beautiful scenery and incredible footage of the wildlife,” said Marz. She said she thinks the footage (from the film) can make an impression on people to understand the importance of preserving this region.
