GEOG #10 one more left!!

Joy Prior
Geography 120H
Section 05
#10: RESOURCES
Many conflicts in the world are based on fighting over the earth’s finite resources such as
water, oil, or minerals, etc. Select an article dealing with an area of conflict concerning
such a resource and discuss it in terms of the importance of the particular resource to the
countries involved. What aspects of site/situation play into the conflict? Do both countries
have an equal claim to the land and/or resource for which they lay claim? How does the
conflict affect the region in which it is found? How does it affect the world at large?
Location: North America

OP-ED. Like Oil and Water in the Gulf. Los Angeles Times; Opinion. Web. March 2011. < http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-stephens-cuba-oil-20110314,0,7697622.story>

The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for off shore drilling, but there is some debate as to who owns the oil. Currently Cuba has entered the debate. This year Cuba and its foreign partners will begin to explore for oil and start drilling as close to 50 miles from Florida. The expected site will be deeper than BP’s Macondo well (a major American oil drill).
During the Cold War there was a U.S. embargo against Cuba that affects the political associations. This article touches the subject of perestroika in Cuba as the economy changes and falls further from communism. It also denies Cuba access to environmental protection and nearby equipment. The real issue does not seem to be the political restrictions but the economical restrictions. Because of the embargo against Cuba U.S. firms are prohibited from joining Cuba in any offshore oil drilling efforts, and this gives the advantage to foreign firms. According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are 5 billion barrels of oil and 10 trillion cubic feet of natural gas beneath the gulf in land belonging to Cuba. Cuba’s potential commercial oil would be invested in by foreign countries (particularly China) and the island would be introduced to commercial market with investors in the United States not getting any piece of the pie. It reminds me of colonization, because it is a debate between powerful countires and their control over less developed countries natural resources.
The article spent a great deal of time discussing how offshore oil does have an effect on the environment, and that the foreign oil firms will disregard the United States strict offshore oil policies and pollute the entire Gulf Coast. Currently the United States denies foreign firms the right to drill in U.S. waters in an effort to impose environmentally friendly restrictions and rights. After the oil spill last year scientists were sent to survey the entire coast. The new drills in Cuba affect the shared gulf between Cuba and Florida. The issue of a shared environment and desire for natural resources raises the question of environmental responsibility for both countries. Although these arguments seemed valid I believe that motivation for having the United States recognize Cuban relations is not motivated by ecological consideration, but economical investments.