Pine Lake Films made a lovely, instrumental short film titled Alaska, so you may experience the beauty and granduer of Alaska. [04:05 min]"What would America gain by allowing heavy industry into the the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? Very little. Oil from the refuge would hardly make a dent in our dependence on foreign imports -- leaving our economy and way of life just as exposed to wild swings in worldwide oil prices and supply as it is today. The truth is, we simply can't drill our way to energy independence.
"Although drilling proponents often say there are 16 billion barrels of oil under the refuge's coastal plain, the U.S. Geological Service's estimate of the amount that could be recovered economically -- that is, the amount likely to be profitably extracted and sold -- represents less than a year's U.S. supply.
"It would take 10 years for any Arctic Refuge oil to reach the market, and even when production peaks -- in the distant year of 2027 -- the refuge would produce a paltry 1 or 2 percent of Americans' daily consumption. Whatever oil the refuge might produce is simply irrelevant to the larger issue of meeting America's future energy needs."
source: Natural Resources Defense Council
Oil produced from the Arctic Refuge would come at enormous, and irreversible, cost. The refuge is among the world's last true wildernesses, and it is one of the largest sanctuaries for Arctic animals. Traversed by a dozen rivers and framed by jagged peaks, this spectacular wilderness is a vital birthing ground for polar bears, grizzlies, Arctic wolves, caribou and the endangered shaggy musk ox, a mammoth-like survivor of the last Ice Age.
:: Arctic Loons [SoundDogs]
:: Kevin Pierce - Alaska Tourism ad [official site]
:: Tony Sawyer - Alaska excerpt [Red River Country]
Why destroy America's foremost wildlife refuge for less oil than we consume in a single year?
:: Arctic Science Journeys - Big Oil, Big Whales, Big Trouble [Alaska Sea Grant]
:: Armonite [Italy] - Inuit excerpt [official site]
:: Arctic - Someone Turning [official site]
Please take a minute to click here to send a letter to the US Congress. There is even a prewritten letter option, if you are in a hurry.
:: Inuit Women Talking [Canada's National Inuit Org.]
:: Canada Inuit Games and Songs - Hamma Katajjait [Meditacia.sk]
:: Inuit Shaman Chant [Prof. Dr. Francisco Diez de Velasco]
:: Garritan Orchestral Strings - Arctic Caverns [official site]
With Congress about to decide the fate of the Arctic Refuge, environmental and grassroots groups have organized a massive rally in Washington, DC on September 20, 2005. More info at the Arctic Refuge Action Day website.
:: Goodyear Tire ad for Ultragrip Ice Radials [Goodyear
:: Curtis Eller's American Circus - Alaska [official site]
:: Chandelle - Alaska [official site]
:: Eyes Adrift - Alaska [SpinART Records]
Here is Robert Redford's letter to Americans regarding rescuing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
:: Alaska Public Radio Network - Dena'ina Language Institute [Alaska Native Language Center]
:: Wayne Hancock - North To Alaska live [Internet Archive]
:: Chris Collins - Alaska [official site]
Due to the extreme cold, short growing season and nutrient-poor soils, Arctic vegetation is extremely fragile. Plant communities scarred by bulldozer tracks, oil spills and other human activities can take decades to recover.
:: Clarence Birdseye's Alaska [UpBeet]
:: Phoenx [Germany] - Quinn the Eskimo, Part II [official site]
:: Kanda - Arctic [Boptart]
At least five species of marine mammals live in or near the Beaufort Sea along the coastal plain's northern edge. These include spotted seals, ringed seals, bearded seals, beluga whales and endangered bowhead whales.
These changes happen without citizens noticing. Big business is king. I had forgotten that you are a scientist and you care about all this stuff. Glad someone is watching. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI sent a letter. Thanks for the news.
ReplyDeletethere is more to life than music. telling a story with sounds and music-- cool
ReplyDeleteHey that song by Arctic is beautiful. I see mention of Oddio Overplay at Arctic / Marcus Martin. ping
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is more to life than music. Glad to get an important message across to folks. Today the US Senate is revisiting the issue via a defense bill. You can guess what side of that issue I stand. Thanks for sending letters, and thanks for the heads up about Arctic.
ReplyDelete