The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1172 mile long underground oil pipeline project in the United States. The pipeline is supposed to be located underground, specifically running along the Missouri River, just underground. This pipeline strives for national benefits such as bringing in revenue, which will make our economy better. There will also be an increase in domestic crude oil production, which translates into a greater energy independence for the United Sates. All of these benefits sound amazing for our nation, right?
Actually, wrong, the construction of this pipeline has some dire effects on our nation. It is an incredibly dangerous thing to happen to the environment. The fact that crude oil will pass through the pipeline is dangerous. The oil could potentially contaminate the vicinity of the location of the pipeline. There could be the chance of the pipeline bursting, causing a huge oil spill. That oil can spill into the Missouri River and the land that meets the Missouri River. This can add onto the environmental issues already taking place due to oil; pollution, climate change, and the destruction of biodiversity.
Despite these negative environmental impacts the pipeline will have, there is also the controversy with the Sioux tribe. The Sioux is a tribe of Native Americans, and knowing the history of Native Americans, they've experienced so much oppression. The construction of this pipeline is another prime example of oppressing Native Americans. The pipeline will interfere with ritual burial lands. This interferes with their culture as well, and takes away their land, again.
Native Americans have faced so much oppression, and they have been forced out of their own rightful land for generations. The fact that this is still an issue, in 2016, is problematic. Native Americans do not deserve this treatment; they helped the European immigrants settle in this country, and this is the thanks they get in return. The removal of their land, the forced migration, and the oppression is wrong and needs to be stopped. Which is why there has been an ongoing protest organized by Native Americans at the site of the pipeline. Their protest has halted construction, but that hasn't been without any violence. Police officials have brought attack dogs, used rubber pellets, and used spray gas on these protesters to deter them. However, their movement is unstoppable. Other indigenous people across the globe are expressing their solidarity through rituals. Celebrities are even using their voice and fame to bring this issue to light.
We, as a society, need to do everything possible to support their protest. Send supplies such as medicine and clothes to help them stay repaired. Use your voice and express your concerns to government officials. Educate others, and raise awareness to this concern. Start petitions, and go to the protest. Even donate money to the indigenous people to make sure they are able to make ends meet. Whatever the case may be, we have a responsibility to unite and help the Native Americans.
Not only should we be concerned with the safety of the Native Americans, which has been an ongoing problem, but we should be concerned with the environmental impacts this pipeline could have. It is going to add to climate change and global warming. Despite having a president-elect that doesn't believe in climate change, the facts don't lie; sea levels are rising and biodiversity is dying out. Whether we want to admit it, but we must unite to save the Native Americans, and save the deteriorating planet.
