Thanks to everyone on our mailing list who signed the Do Not Drill petition - you helped make this happen. This is the latest update from the World Wildlife Federation:

Prime Minister Paul Martin reviews the petitions YOU signed!

YOU DID IT!
In July, when WWF-Canada launched our Do Not Drill campaign, we had two goals. One was to get 40,000 signatures on a petition asking Prime Minister Paul Martin to speak out on the U.S. plans to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The other goal was to have the Prime Minister make that statement publicly.

Because of you, we blew the doors off both of those goals!

Here's what has happened since you signed your petition:

• To date, we have more than 71,000 signed petitions that have been delivered to Mr. Martin.
• We've personally met with Mr. Martin, along with a few other prominent Canadian conservationists.
• On August 12, the Minister of Environment, Stéphane Dion, made a public statement in opposition to drilling in ANWR.
• On August 23, Mr. Martin himself publicly reaffirmed the Canadian government's opposition to this drilling.
• We've personally met with Frank McKenna, our ambassador to the U.S., in Washington. He has also personally met with key members of Congress and continues to do so.
• We participated in a massive rally in Washington, attended also by Robert Kennedy Jr., John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, to speak out against drilling in ANWR.

As you may know, the vote that may allow drilling in ANWR has been delayed. Until then, we will be anxiously waiting, along with all of you, to hear the outcome. Please check for updates in the news and on donotdrill.ca.

In the meantime, regardless of the outcome of the vote, together we have much to be proud of. We've truly made a difference on this issue.

You have our deepest gratitude.

On behalf of WWF-Canada, wildlife and wild spaces,

Mike Russill
http://www.donotdrill.ca

With oil and gas prices at alarmingly high levels, nations are anxious to secure additional oil reserves regardless of the impact on the local environments or culture. The impact of Hurricane Katrina on petroleum platforms in the Gulf of Mexico caused a leap in prices, and governments are tapping their emergency reserves to help resolve the crisis. In this climate, it will be more tempting than ever for the United States to approve drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

But the output from the ANWR sites may not be enough to justify the inevitable damage to the Arctic environment. Geologists disagree about the possible yield within the Reserve; regardless of the quantity of oil, the United States would still remain dependent on foreign oil, and no relief would be seen from the drilling for more than ten year. In the meantime, one of the world's last greatest wild places would be devastated by the development.

• Help the WWF prevent drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - sign the petition at http://www.donotdrill.ca.
• Not all Republicans are buying the party line. Republicans for Environmental Protection released a statement this year that additional drilling will not solve the oil crisis; measures need to be taken to curb demand and increase motor vehicle fuel efficiency.
• This is not only a North American issue. In Norway, a similar battle is taking place to prevent drilling along the Arctic coastline.
• September 20, 2005 is Arctic Refuge Action Day. Protestors will rally at Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to protect the Refuge. Learn more and get involved at Arctic Refuge Action.