Keep oil out of Arctic

To the editor:

I want to make sure that your readers are aware that politicians in Washington are dangerously close to opening the Arctic Refuge and our nation’s coasts to destructive drilling in an attempt to appease their oil industry allies.

This move poses the greatest threat the Arctic Refuge has faced in more than 30 years, and it would irreparably damage the Arctic ecosystem and deprive our children and future generations of the opportunity to experience this iconic landscape.

The Arctic Refuge is one of the last untouched places in the country. It is the United States’ largest wildlife refuge, and provides habitat and birthing grounds for native caribou, polar bears and migrating birds from across the globe, as well as a diverse range of wilderness lands.

And our nation’s coastlines support countless marine species and economies that depend on fishing, tourism, recreation and oil-free oceans.

Republicans are eager to give up our public lands and waters, and hand over our children’s outdoor legacy to greedy fossil fuel executives. 

The attack on the Arctic Refuge and coasts is one of the most selfish, overwhelmingly unpopular, and fiscally dishonest pursuits that we’ve seen from Trump and Republicans in Congress.

These politicians just don’t seem to care what’s at stake as long as they make good on their promises to deliver tax cuts for billionaires and corporate special interests.

We all need our representatives in Washington to stand up strongly against this attack. Please call your members of Congress at (202) 223-3121. Tell them that drilling in the Arctic Refuge and off our coasts has not place in the budget.

And contact your friends in other states and urge them to do so as well.

Judy Fletcher