Take Action: Polar bears or oil rigs?

Polar bears or oil rigs?

We must convince Interior Secretary Salazar to reject a dangerously aggressive Bush-era plan to allow oil companies to begin drilling in the Arctic in 2010. But we only have until September 21st to make ourselves heard.

Please join us in urging Secretary Salazar to protect the Arctic and its unique inhabitants -- polar bears, ice seals, walruses, gray whales and many more -- from the destructive impacts of oil and gas drilling before it's too late.

Photo courtesy of Flickr, 'Just Being Myself'

Fill out the form below to send your message to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar before the 21st!

Send this message to:

Secretary Ken Salazar

Subject:

Dear Secretary Salazar,

(Edit Letter Below)

Thank you for bringing about a review of the new five-year plan for development off our nation's coasts.  America's Arctic has been part of our heritage for generations, but if we want to pass it on to our children and grandchildren, we must tread lightly on this delicate ecosystem that is already under great stress due to climate change.  A rigorous study of the Arctic environment is a crucial first step in considering any proposed industrial development.

The Bush administration's aggressive plans for oil and gas development, as reflected both in the current 2007-2012 Leasing Program and the 2010-2015 Draft Proposed Leasing Program, have no place in the Arctic Ocean or Bristol Bay.  In February, when you announced your plans to extend the public comment period on the 2010-2015 plan, you pledged to "make wise decisions based on sound information."  I urge you to continue the process you have begun, and come up with a responsible plan for America's Arctic that will ensure its survival.

The Arctic is the "least studied and most poorly understood place in the world," according to the U.S.  Arctic Commission.  Without a thorough understanding of the environment, the full range of impacts from development will remain unknown.

One thing we do know is that no technology currently exists to clean up an oil spill in the Arctic's icy conditions.  Once the drills start, government scientists have predicted a 40 percent chance of one or more large oil spills in the Chukchi Sea alone.  We also know that because of its incredibly important and valuable salmon fishery, no leasing should be allowed in Bristol Bay.

The new five-year leasing plan for our nation's oceans and your reconsideration of the current Bush plan give you the opportunity to reverse the ill-considered Bush-era leasing decisions in the Arctic and strike a new path.  Please create a plan of your own that fulfills your vision of a science-based, comprehensive approach to offshore development that emphasizes renewable energy and that will ensure a legacy of healthy, living oceans for future generations.  Until you complete such a plan I urge you to impose a "timeout" on all oil and gas related activities in the Arctic Ocean.  I also urge you to withdraw Bristol Bay from all oil and gas leasing.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address]

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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