There is an optimal amount of care. But only when people face the consequences of their actions do they have incentives to find it, e.g., on ANWR all exploration must occur when the ground is frozen and must cease while caribou are calving. No Green organization will operate an oil field. Rather, just like Audubon and other conservation groups with oil properties, the winners will contract with professionals. The contracting companies would bid on two margins, royalties and environmental sensitivity.
Oil exploration is an evolutionary process.
The technology is improving dramatically and the footprint of exploration has become ever lighter. Bush's challenge is to advocate policies which incorporate this progress and harmonize it with our heightened environmental sensitivities.