Photo source: ©© Benjamin Dumas
Excerpts;
Fifteen more Indigenous groups have signed onto a joint statement rejecting oil development in the Arctic. The coalition now includes major Indigenous organisations from every Arctic state, including two organisations that are permanent participants on the Arctic Council.
The move demonstrates that there is growing opposition to Arctic oil drilling amongst the Indigenous communities who will be most affected by the industrialisation of their territories and would feel the first impacts of an oil spill.
“This conference is an indication of where the world is going,” said Bill Erasmus, Dene National Chief and international vice-chair of the Arctic Athabaskan Council, which is a permanent participant at the Arctic Council. “People are worried about the land, regardless of their backgrounds or professions, and people are getting together because of their concern.” Erasmus said he plans to take this message to the Arctic Council Foreign Minister’s meeting on May 15 in Kiruna…
Read Full Article and Learn More, Greenpeace
NOAA Considers Effects Of Oil And Gas Activities On Marine Animals And Alaska Native Communities, NOAA
NOAA announced that it is seeking comments on a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for oil and gas activities in the Arctic Ocean. The draft includes analysis on how a broader range of potential offshore oil and gas activities could affect the environment, with a specific focus on marine mammals and the Alaska Native communities that depend on the animals for food and cultural traditions.
