Oil or Whales That is the Question

Protect whales from new oil industry, warns WWF

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/04/wwf-appeal-threat-whales-oil

Summary

This article concerns the WWF's fear that there might be an increase in whaling in the coming years. This fear is based on the recent climate changes that have taken place: the recent climate changes are opening up new “previously inaccessible” areas of the Arctic to the oil industry.

These areas are one of the few safe zones left in the world for whales and other cetaceans. If the oil industry were to move there, there would be no place left for them. The article then proceeds to discuss a few more of the pro- and anti-whaling arguments.

Reaction

In my opinion, if the Arctic is one of the few safe zones left, the oil industry should not be allowed to go there, even if the climate changes allow it. But since that's mostly just wishful thinking, I think
measures should be taken to make sure that as many whales and cetaceans as possible survive, by for example requiring companies to apply for a permit and limiting the amount of permits.

It's not that I'm against whaling per se, I think it's natural to hunt: but the fact that whales are almost extinct changes things. The whales should be able to reproduce faster than they are hunted.