Hundreds Rally in Alaska to Tell Obama "Climate Leaders Don't Drill the Arctic"

Environmentalists and scientists say any further exploitation of fossil fuels must be halted in order to limit the rise in average global temperatures to within 2 degreesC of pre-industrial levels and avert serious climate change.

Zach Brown participates in the rally which coincided with President Obama's visit with ministers from around the world for the 'GLACIER' conference.
(Image by Photo credit: Mark Meyer / Greenpeace)   Details   DMCA

In response to President Obama's comments at the GLACIER conference, Greenpeace Senior Arctic Campaigner Mary Nicol said:

"President Obama emphasized two things during his speech in Alaska: the urgency of climate change and the possibility of solving it. But it's time for the President to stop talking about urgency, and stop approving extreme fossil fuel projects like Shell's Arctic drilling plans. In fact, the approval of that very project undermines every other bold move the President has made on climate change including the recent Clean Power Plan.

"After President Obama's comments on climate change tonight, it's clear he realizes what he has to do. It's time for him to show courage and leadership equal to the people around the world who have stood up against Arctic drilling. He must stop Shell's plans and put a moratorium on future drilling in the Arctic ocean."

"President Obama's visit to Alaska puts a spotlight on his climate hypocrisy," says Friends of the Earth Climate Campaigner Marissa Knodel. "Rubber-stamping Shell's reckless pursuit for Arctic oil and gas is antithetical to calling for climate action. By allowing these unburnable fossil fuels to be developed, President Obama is making the adverse climate impacts that Alaska is experiencing worse, not better. If President Obama wants to be a true climate leader, he needs to disavow his 'all of the above' energy plan and keep Arctic oil and gas in the ground."

In rallying yesterday, the groups are hoping that the President will change his mind on Arctic drilling. "We are thankful the President is willing to see for himself the real impacts of climate change, but we hope that once he understands the dire situation, he would go further and actually address the situation by taking effective action such as canceling Shell's Arctic drilling," said Faith Gemmill of RedOil.

Sid Atwood of Anchorage holds signs at the rally, imploring President Obama to cancel Shell's permits.
(Image by Photo credit: Mark Meyer / Greenpeace)   Details   DMCA

In President Obama's weekly address, he acknowledged critics' concerns about drilling in the Arctic, saying:

"I know there are Americans who are concerned about oil companies drilling in environmentally sensitive waters. Some are also concerned with my administration's decision to approve Shell's application to drill a well off the Alaskan coast, using leases they purchased before I took office. I share people's concerns about offshore drilling. I remember the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico all too well.

"That's precisely why my administration has worked to make sure that our oil exploration conducted under these leases is done at the highest standards possible, with requirements specifically tailored to the risks of drilling off Alaska. We don't rubber-stamp permits. We made it clear that Shell has to meet our high standards in how they conduct their operations -- and it's a testament to how rigorous we've applied those standards that Shell has delayed and limited its exploration off Alaska while trying to meet them. The bottom line is, safety has been and will continue to be my administration's top priority when it comes to oil and gas exploration off America's precious coasts -- even as we push our economy and the world to ultimately transition off of fossil fuels."

The rally was hosted by Greenpeace, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Alaska Rising Tide, RedOil, Idle No More, Idle No More Washington, Alaska Climate Action Network, NAACP Youth Chapter AK, Chukchi Sea Watch, Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, Sierra Club Alaska, ShellNo Alaska and Center for Biological Diversity.