to Save the Arctic Refuge! (fwd)

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Click to Save the Arctic Refuge! (fwd) Dear Greenpeace Activist, It's been our greatest protected wilderness, and many of us have fought tooth and nail to keep it that way. But thanks to a recent Senate vote, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is now a significant step closer to becoming an industrial wasteland for the oil industry. An Incalculable Loss For more than two decades, Democrats and some moderate Republicans have been beating back attempts to open the refuge to oil drilling with strong backing from the public. Last week, however, the Senate voted to clear the way for oil and gas drilling. The Senate rejected an amendment offered by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) that would have removed the sanctuary drilling revenue from the 2006 budget. Arctic wildlife is already gravely threatened by global warming, caused by the very industries that intend to pillage the refuge's natural resources. Polar bears and other mammals have less and less access to food sources, as they

depend on melting sea ice to provide platforms for hunting and fishing. If the oil industry is allowed to begin drilling, these and other wildlife, such as caribou and migratory birds, will face the prospect of oil spills and the accumulation of noxious pollution that is an inevitable part of oil and gas development. Drilling in the Arctic is no solution to our energy crisis. While weaning ourselves away from foreign oil is a noble endeavor, the solution does not lie in destroying our country's pristine areas for a few months of oil. Instead, the government should be investing our tax dollars in clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind. So What Now? Hope is not lost. First, the Senate must pass its 2006 budget resolution. In the meantime, the House will be passing its own 2006 budget resolution. Then, the two bodies must reconcile their budgets, and both must agree to the Arctic drilling measure. That means time is short. We need to send a message to Congress now, telling our

representatives that this measure is unacceptable. Please take a moment to let them know you won't stand for this sneaky attack on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Urge them to vote against ANY measure that will open "the American Serengeti" to unnecessary drilling.Take action now at: http://usactions.greenpeace.org/action/start.php?action_id=41 What do YOU think? Give your two cents on the possibility of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by visiting our discussion center. Go to: http://usa.greenpeace.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7 ~~~~~ Final Smokestack Six Activist Freed! On Thursday, Josh was released from the Greene County Prison in Pennsylvania after serving a 30-day sentence. Josh and five other activists climbed a 700-foot smokestack last July to highlight the dangers of a dirty coal plant and protest the Bush administration's energy plan. Josh refused to let incarceration keep him from protesting against Allegheny Energy, the owner of the Hatfield's Ferry

plant where the action took place. To highlight the fact that the real criminal - Allegheny Energy - still hasn't been brought to justice, Josh chose to fast for the duration of his 30-day sentence. Josh has now returned to Washington, D.C., where he is in good health and good spirits. He thanks all of you that supported him with your letters, messages and positive thoughts. ~~~~~ 3 Ways to Help 1: Help Greenpeace Take a Stand. Become a Member Today. https://usa.greenpeace.org/donate/index.php?from=032205 2: Take Action. Visit our Action Center and take action today. http://usactions.greenpeace.org/ 3: Tell a Friend. Forward this message to a friend. Help spread the word. http://hq.demaction.org/dia/organizations/greenpeace/tellafriend.jsp?tell_a_friend_KEY=176 ~~~~~ Greenpeace 702 H Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20001 (800) 326-0959 ~~~~~ You received this mailing because you are d to one of our mailing lists. If you need to update your information or prefer not to

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