Pregnant polar bears are just beginning to build their dens in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in order to give birth to cubs this winter.
Oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will negatively impact Indigenous communities and wildlife species that depend on the refuge for their survival. Such development can be very destructive for polar bears – from outwardly destroying dens to potential fatalities from oil and industrial chemical exposure.
Tell President Trump and his administration that you want polar bears and other Arctic wildlife protected from oil and gas development.
Subject: Oil and Gas Drilling Threatens Polar Bears
Dear President Trump and Secretary Burgum,
I'm writing because I'm very concerned about how oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will negatively impact Indigenous communities and wildlife species that depend on the refuge for their survival. Such development can be very destructive for polar bears – from outwardly destroying dens to potential fatalities from oil and industrial chemical exposure.
The Gwich'in people call the Arctic Coastal Plain "the sacred place where life begins" since many species of wildlife birth their young there. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge supports the greatest variety of plant and animal life in the Arctic, including polar bears, the Porcupine Caribou Herd, Dall's sheep, muskoxen and nearly 200 species of migratory birds.
I am completely opposed to oil and gas development in this sensitive wildlife area, but I realize that current law mandates that oil and gas leases must be offered. I am writing to urge your administration to limit the number of leases that are offered and to ensure they are in the places that will least impact the wildlife I care deeply about that depend on the Arctic Coastal Plain for their existence. Protections for Porcupine caribou are especially important since the Gwich'in Nation relies upon them for cultural survival and food.
It is imperative that as you proceed with leasing, you must evaluate all aspects of potential oil and gas impacts to lands, water, wildlife, and Indigenous communities in this sacred area – both now and into the future.
Sincerely,
[Name]
