Claire Brisse Podcast

 

Claire Brisse

Podcast Script

4/25/15

Oil Use in US

 

 

ANCHOR INTRO (0:00)

Natalie Eggert

Emory University Student

 

In February of this year, President Barack Obama vetoed the Keystone XL Pipeline. If it had been completed, it would have finished a project connecting oil sources in Canada to the US Gulf Coast.

Oil is an energy source that triggers poor health and environmental consequences. However, it is also a pillar of the U.S. economy.

Claire Brisse (BREES) reports further on this oil driven struggle.

 

 

Tape Log Index of Actualities (3:29)

Aubrey Tingler

Emory University Student (0:52)

Tracy Yandle

Emory University Environmental Science Professor (1:26)

Barry Ryan

Rollins School of Public Health Professor (2:03)

William Size

Emory University Environmental Science Professor (2:40)

William Size

Emory University Environmental Science Professor (3:07)

Aubrey Tingler

Emory University Student (3:21)

 

 

NATURAL SOUND (0:24)

No thank you, pipeline, no thank you, pipeline.

 

 

REPORTER VOICER (0:34)

These are the sounds of over 100 peaceful activists protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline last spring. This ongoing political argument has touched many Americans across the country. Aubrey Tingler is an environmental activist and a senior at Emory University. She agrees with the protestors and the final decision to veto.

 

ACTUALITY (0:52)

Aubrey Tingler

Emory University Student

 

The Keystone XL Pipeline running through you know, essentially the middle of the country would do a lot more harm than good, it would pollute our water, it would give dangerous jobs to people who maybe don’t have other opportunities and feel desperate and so I really don’t think we benefit economically or environmentally in the long run.

 

 

REPORTER VOICER (1:10)

Since the pipeline will no longer be completed, the alternate method of transportation for oil is by train. Emory environmental science professor Tracy Yandle has a starkly different opinion and argues that the pipeline was actually more environmentally friendly than the alternatives.

 

 

ACTUALITY (1:26)

Tracy Yandle

Emory University Environmental Science Professor

 

The way it makes it to the market right now is it gets loaded onto railway cars that have horrendous safety track records, that can come off the tracks, can rupture, can go into rivers, kill fish. It’s not working.

 

REPORTER VOICER (1:42)

Despite various contradicting opinions on the pipeline veto, there is a general understanding of the hazards related to oil, such as pollution, oil spills and climate change. Barry Ryan is a professor at Rollins School of Public Health and has a chemistry background. He explains that oil has a direct contribution to dangerously high levels of greenhouse gases.

 

ACTUALITY (2:03)

Barry Ryan

Rollins School of Public Health Professor

 

Burning fossil fuels essentially releases carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that raises the temperature of the earth substantially. We’re at a point now where we’re close to the saturation effect of carbon dioxide.

 

 

REPORTER VOICER (2:16)

 

According to the Energy Information Administration, which is an independent data resource, the United States is the largest oil consumer in the world by at least 54%. These rates of usage are huge despite the known consequences of oil use. William Size, a geologist from Emory University explains the positives of oil us, possibly explaining the high rates.

 

ACTUALITY (2:40)

William Size

Emory University Environmental Science Professor

 

So it’s easily transported from one place to another, it has a high content of energy per unit mass. It burns easily, the efficiency of it of it is that there’s fairly little waste for burning oil.

 

REPORTER VOICER (2:53)

The infrastructure for oil is already in place, in addition combined with natural gas, oil directly or indirectly supplies the US economy with over 9 million jobs. Size uses an analogy to further explain oil’s influence.

 

ACTUALITY (3:07)

William Size

Emory University Environmental Science Professor

 

It’s liquid money basically, and a lot of people base their economy on oil.

 

REPORTER VOICER (3:13)

Oil has a strong influence on the country. Is it even possible to switch to renewable energy? Tingler explains her hope for the future.

 

ACTUALITY (3:21)

Aubrey Tingler

Emory University Student

 

I think it is possible because I’m one of those optimists who thinks that if you can make your voice heard something will start to happen.

 

 

TAG:

Claire Brisse, Emory News Now