Time out in the Arctic

Scientists Call for "time-out" in the U.S. Arctic Ocean: Science-Based Precautionary Approach Needed

Dear Colleague,

The U.S. Government will soon decide what level of offshore oil and gas activity to allow in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska. Until September 21, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is taking public comment on this topic. We invite you to join us in signing a letter from Ph.D.-level scientists to President Barack Obama, urging the Administration to take a time out from offshore industrial activity to allow for precautionary, science-based approach that better assesses the consequences of development in a rapidly changing ecosystem.

Please click here to read the letter (PDF)

Sincerely,

Henry Huntington, Ph.D.
Science Director, US Arctic Program
The Pew Environment Group

James McCarthy, Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Oceanography
Harvard University

Gordon Orians, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biology
University of Washington

Terry Root, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow, Woods Institute for the Environment
Stanford University

Mark Serreze, Ph.D.
Director
National Snow and Ice Data Center

Jeff Short, Ph.D.
Pacific Science Director
Oceana

PS - If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn Heiman