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| Religious Leaders Join Presiding Bishop to Support Protection of Arctic Refuge | |||||||
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Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, joined by leaders from Jewish, Catholic and Protestant faith traditions, sent a letter to Congress March 1 in support of protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – land sacred to the predominantly Episcopalian Gwich'in Nation – from oil and gas development. "To risk the destruction of an untouched wilderness and an ancient culture violates our theological mandate to be caretakers of creation," the statement said. "While the ecological and human rights values of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are recognized by many, the cost from exploitation of the potential resources that may exist there does not justify exploration or development." Proponents of drilling are attempting to use the congressional budget process to circumvent normal consideration of the controversial measure by including highly speculative revenues from lease sales in the Arctic in this year's Budget Act. A January 2005 bipartisan poll by Republican firm Bellwether Research and Democratic pollsters Lake, Snell, Perry and Associates found that by a margin of 53 percent to 35 percent, Americans oppose proposals to drill for oil in the Arctic. By a wider margin – 73 percent versus 18 percent – Americans believe this issue is too important to "sneak through" in the budget process. "We recognize that our use of fossil fuels and the resulting global warming has its greatest impact on the poor and vulnerable," the statement concluded. "Controversy over whether to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development requires us to ask ourselves: what kind of world will we leave to future generations?" Ninety percent of the Gwich'in are Episcopalians, creating a special obligation for the Episcopal Church to advocate with the Gwich'in on behalf of their sacred spaces. Drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge threatens the Porcupine caribou herd that the Gwich'in have depended on for survival and culture for 10,000 years. Experts say it would damage the pristine wildlife sanctuary for less oil than the U.S. uses in less than one year. Potential oil from the Arctic would take an estimated 10 years to reach markets and have no impact on the price of oil or gas. Reports in the New York Times have indicated that interest among major oil companies in drilling in the Arctic Refuge has declined in recent years. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the Executive Council and the House of Bishops have issued repeated resolutions and statements calling on the U.S. Congress to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and to urge government and industry to consider conservation-based energy strategies that include raising vehicle fuel economy of all vehicles in the United States, increasing funding for mass transit, and investing in renewable energy research and development among others. The Full Text of the letter with signatories follows: Leaders of Faith Communities Support Protection Dear Members of Congress: Representing communities of faith and as leaders of various religious traditions, we share a common scriptural and theological belief that we have a responsibility to care for God's creation and to be good neighbors. As people of faith, we support protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge fully. To risk the destruction of an untouched wilderness and an ancient culture violates our theological mandate to be caretakers of creation. Because of these deeply shared values we respectfully ask you to oppose legislation that would facilitate the opening of this sacred space to oil or gas exploration and development in any way. While the ecological and human rights values of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are recognized by many, the cost from exploitation of the potential resources that may exist there does not justify exploration or development. The best estimates tell us that oil from the Refuge as a single source is equal to what the Unites States would consume in several months. Conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative sources of energy can do much more to address our country's energy needs. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few ecosystems left on earth in its original condition. It is a national treasure and such natural places are anchors in a changing world. They help hold us in place and tell us where we have been; they often can be sources of inspiration and comfort. As Job counsels, "listen to the earth, and it will teach you." Job 12:8. The Arctic Refuge is well-known for its Porcupine caribou herd, whose life cycle is dependent on the Refuge as an intact, virtually undisturbed ecosystem. The caribou are a chief link in the subsistence culture for the indigenous Gwich'in people. The Gwich'in call themselves the "Caribou People" and the Arctic Refuge is for them "the Sacred Place where Life Begins." The caribou are essential for Gwich'in cultural, social, and spiritual needs and it has been that way for over 10,000 years. Disturbances that lead to reduced calving success for the caribou may cause significant, irreversible, negative consequences for all involved in this unspoiled web of life. Pristine places like the Arctic Refuge provide numerous benefits. For humankind, the Arctic is a control environment that helps scientists answer current and future questions in the changing environment. For animal kind, the Arctic is an important habitat and home for many species, including the Arctic peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon, golden eagle, snowshoe hare, ptarmigan, polar bear, grizzly bear, musk ox, threatened spectacled eider, wolves, smaller mammals and water fowl. "The psalmist proclaims, ‘O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104. We recognize that our use of fossil fuels and the resulting global warming has its greatest impact on the poor and vulnerable. Controversy over whether to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development requires us to ask ourselves: what kind of world will we leave to future generations? As people of faith, we are committed to working for a world with justice for indigenous peoples and all creation and we support indigenous peoples' rights as a basic component of a just society. For these reasons and others, we ask you to oppose opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration and development. Thank you for considering our concerns. Sincerely, • Simone Campbell, SSS • The Right Reverend Vicken Aykazian • The Reverend Dr. Robert Edgar • The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold • The Reverend Dr. Stan Hastey • The Reverend William Chris Hobgood • The Reverend Michael Livingston • Marie Lucey, OSF • Rabbi Janet Marder • Stanley J. Noffsinger • The Reverend Dr. Lon Oliver • Sister Robbie Pentecost, OSF • Rosanne Rustemeyer, SSND • Rabbi David Saperstein • Adam C. Stern • School Sisters of Notre Dame • The Reverend John H. Thomas • Reva Price • Joe Volk |
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