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The proposed Dakota Access Pipeline would be used to transport crude oil from North Dakota to the states of South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois. The estimated daily production of 470,000 barrels of crude oil would then be delivered to markets and refineries in the regions of the Midwest, East Coast, and Gulf Coast.

Ecocentrism is an Environmental Value System (EVS) that strives to integrate social, spiritual, and environmental dimensions into a holistic ideal. Nature is perceived as being central to humanity and an emphasis is placed on a less materialistic approach to life with greater self-sufficiency of societies. The protesting of the Dakota Access Pipeline by concerned environmentalists clearly reflects this viewpoint.

Dakota Access, LLC believes the pipeline would provide a more environmentally friendly way of transporting crude oil compared with other modes of transportation. These transportation methods release hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide – all toxic air pollutants. These pollutants accumulate in food chains and, in severe cases, cause death and deformities to plant and animal species. Acid rain is produced when nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide react with oxygen and water; when acid rain comes into contact with streams, lakes, or soil, acidic compounds are released, leading to chemical alteration and eventual damage to ecosystems. Carbon dioxide and methane also aid in the worsening of climate issues through damage to the Ozone Layer, which allows a larger proportion of ultraviolet radiation to be received at the earth’s surface. This increased amount of heat naturally causes damage to crops and leads to diseases amongst humans.

However, the #nodapl initiative is protesting against the construction of the pipeline to ensure no wildlife and sensitive natural areas are harmed by construction and no disturbance is created for the Native Americans in the upper Midwest and the sacred lands they possess. Concerns have also been placed on potential leaks, which would pollute streams, rivers, lakes, and aquifers in addition to the communities and farms that are built upon. A new pipeline will ultimately delay the United States’s transition to clean and renewable energy and more fuel-efficient vehicles and will continue to instill further dependence upon resources that require and deplete fossil fuels.

Citations:

1. “Dakota Access Pipeline: What’s at Stake?” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2016. <http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/07/us/dakota-access-pipeline-visual-guide/>.
2. “5 Things to Know about the Dakota Access Pipeline.” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2016. <http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/31/us/dakota-access-pipeline-explainer/>.
3. “How Does Air Pollution Affect the Environment?” Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2016. <https://www.reference.com/science/air-pollution-affect-environment-d088916c095b24ea>.