Despite environmental reports suggesting that gas from the Mackenzie Valley pipeline would be mostly used to fuel more oil and gas development, the debates continue, with a clause added to the project that could force development to begin within two years.

But what the oil companies want doesn't add up - the Mackenzie River region has been calculated to be worth ten times more, left untouched, than it would be if it were developed.

If you'd rather see Canada's wildest big river left as a priceless natural resource, say so at MackenzieWild.ca.

Surprise, surprise: the Alaska Oil and Gas Association is complaining that the measures needed to save the polar bear will be too inconvenient, and consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service will create "delays and expenses". The decision on whether or not to list polar bears as "threatened" will not come until next January. Perhaps the US government has decided that if it waits long enough, the problem will go away - after all, by 2040 all the summer sea ice may have melted, and polar bears might no longer be an issue...?