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.