The moment of truth nears as the Senate will soon consider opening the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I'm writting to urge you to lobby and vote for the protection of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

Drilling in the refuge will not help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In fact, oil from the refuge would take 10 years to reach consumers and would last for only six months. By contrast, raising automobile fuel efficiency by three miles per gallon would save more oil in a decade than could ever be recovered from the refuge.

As calving grounds for the porcupine caribou, the Refuge is critical to the Gwitch'in people who have lived there for time immemorial. Archeologists have proven the Gwitch'in people have lived there for at least 30,000 years. Threatening their cultural survival for six months of oil is absolutely unacceptable.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is among the world's last truly pristine wild places and one of the largest sanctuaries for Arctic animals on the planet. It is a vital birthing ground for polar bears, grizzlies, Arctic wolves, and the highly endangered shaggy musk ox.

The United States needs an energy policy that respects indigenous peoples, and prioritizes energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and alternative fuels as a quicker, cheaper, cleaner and more just way to achieve America's long-term energy security.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 11, 2002