Arctic beauty in danger with Shell’s oil drilling

I'm disappointed to hear that Shell Oil company can start drilling in Alaska's Beaufort Sea off the coast of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, despite a lack of fundamental information about how much stress this decision it will put on Arctic environment.

Shell's drilling would take place right in the middle of habitat that was just proposed as critical for the endangered polar bear. This activity also is along an important migratory route for the endangered bowhead whale that the Inupiat people depend on.

Climate change is already ravaging this region; how can the federal government possibly protect endangered species in a stressed environment and allow oil and gas development? That is absolute injustice!

If we don't protect the Arctic and let development take over, we'll lose our beautiful Arctic, the polar bears, walruses, and the respect and pride of our country. If we let this happen, we look like the most uncaring people on Earth, because we'll put the whole world in danger!

Sydney Pratt

Mount Vernon