President Bush wants to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). "It's in our national interest," he says, "to develop more energy supplies at home." Environmental groups disagree. "Drilling...won't enhance our energy security," argues Adam Kolton of the Alaska Wilderness League. It will only destroy the nation's largest and most unspoiled arctic wilderness refuge.

WHAT IS ANWR?

ANWR was created in 1960 to preserve 9 million acres of undisturbed wilderness in northeastern Alaska. It's an important wildlife habitat for caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds. In 1980, Congress doubled the size of ANWR and passed a law prohibiting oil exploration there.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS VS. DEVELOPERS

Geological surveys have indicated there are between 3 and 16 billion gallons of oil in ANWR. Developers argue that this bonanza will reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. The US currently imports 55% of the oil it needs. Advocates of development warn that it's dangerous to rely on countries that may become our enemies for such an important resource. Developing ANWR, supporters claim, can provide as much oil as we will get from Saudi Arabia during the next 30 years, and could create 736,000 jobs.

Environmentalists, on the other hand, cite a survey that estimates there are only 1.9 billion gallons of oil in ANWR. They argue that because Americans use 7 billion gallons of oil each year, ANWR promises less than a 6-month supply. Drilling opponents claim that the only way to lessen US dependence on foreign oil is to develop alternate sources of energy and to use our resources more efficiently.

Last year, Republicans in the House of Representatives agreed with the developers. They allowed drilling in ANWR. Because the Senate didn't consider the legislation, the debate will continue this year. Judaism's balanced approach toward the environment can help us decide, "To drill or not to drill?"

A BALANCED VIEW

Judaism has grappled with environmental issues for thousands of years. The Torah (Bereishit 1:28) recognizes that nature exists to satisfy human needs. God says, "fill the earth and master it." But the invitation to rule over all living things is immediately balanced by the command (Bereishit 2:15) to protect the environment. God commanded Adam to "cultivate and guard" the Garden of Eden. Interestingly, both sides of the ANWR debate can find support within the Jewish tradition.

THE JEWISH PROHIBITION AGAINST NEEDLESS DESTRUCTION

In order to weigh the benefits of drilling in ANWR against the consequences of development, we must understand the commandment of bal tashchit, which prohibits the willful destruction of natural resources. Rabbi Saul Berman, a contemporary scholar, has written that only "wasteful destruction" is covered by bal tashchit. Disruption of the lives of wild animals in Alaska might be justified, according to this way of thinking, if it will lead to a better life for Americans.

The amount of oil available in ANWR is a matter of dispute. However, the ultimate issue is one of values. Judaism permits the exploitation of nature, including oil drilling, to meet human needs, yet we're commanded to protect the earth. How far do we push ourselves to search for alternative energy supplies before disrupting nature? Sound-off online at babaganewz.com.