wfn.org | Churches say drilling in ANWR morally wrong

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-274

Churches say drilling in ANWR morally wrong 

     (ENS) The Episcopal Church has joined with other faith groups in a statement 
condemning as morally wrong an amendment to a defense authorization bill that 
would permit oil companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 
(ANWR).

     Proponents of drilling in ANWR say that the oil is needed for "reasons of 
national security" in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon 
and the World Trade Center and subsequent preparations for a global "war on 
terrorism." But opponents say conservation measures will do more to assure steady 
oil supplies.

     "Drilling for oil or gas in ANWR will not benefit the troops we now pray 
for. In fact, it is unlikely to see oil or gas production for 10 years," the 
statement said. "Americans can and should conserve today to reduce our dependence 
on foreign sources of oil and important natural resources during this national 
emergency."

     Drilling supporters also claim that most Native Alaskans support their 
position.

     "The Native Alaskans who support drilling are predominantly Inupiat, or 
Eskimo, whose culture and primary subsistence source are more related to marine 
wildlife--whale, seals, and fish--not caribou," said the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, 
Bishop of Alaska. "A disruption to the caribou herd from drilling would not be as 
devastating to their subsistence way of life. The Inupiat are very strong in 
their oft-stated opposition to offshore drilling."

      The Interior Department has estimated that drilling in the refuge could 
cause a 30-40 percent decline in the populations of the coastal plain's species, 
including caribou. That would be devastating to the Gwich'in, who depend on the 
caribou for their traditional way of life. The Gwich'in people are predominantly 
Episcopalians.

     "We are saddened that the divisive issue of drilling in ANWR is being raised 
at this time of national crisis," the statement concludes. "However, if others 
choose to make this an issue now, we must come forward to oppose any efforts to 
plunder this national treasure. Instead, we invite our policy makers to join us 
in seeking to repair, rather than further, the damage we have done to God's earth 
and God's creatures."