From: J (dialup-4.156.249.15.dial1.boston1.level3.net)
Subject: Write to the People of the ANWR
Date: March 22, 2005 at 2:21 pm PST
Write to the people of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, let them know why you care about them, and their home.
Here's something i did. You can too:
i wrote to the people of K a k t o v i k:
email: citikak2 at a o l dot com
or go to:
w w w dot k a k t o v i k dot com
To the People of K a k t o v i k: Good Stewards of the ANWR,
My name is j. I am not connected to any
particular organization, just a concerned fellow human
being, who wants to understand your way of life, and
why there is the need to let in the industries that
will change that way of life, perhaps in the negative.
I have never visited your region or Alaska, but I have
seen development take place in the lower states, that
with all the best intentions, has resulted in
unreasonable environmental changes and short-sighted
gains of their adjacent communities. It is my
understanding, that you and your people would like the
infrastructures of luxury that we are so privileged to
have "down here." You want more comfortable lives,
and "options" for your young and old. I can
understand this completely.
However, the same mistakes seem to get played out
around the world, as peoples seek a different
lifestyle while living in an environment and tradition
that is not as flexible. Meaning that the footprint
of increased activity and means injected into your
city, will impact your home and way of life, forever!
You believe it is for the better, but I am not so
sure.
We probably will both agree, that development will
alter the ANWR and your region. You must ask
yourselves these questions daily; is the risk to
reward ratio worth it? Will our grand children's
children have the beauty and the bounty, that our
"Eden" provides?
I am sorry, if my Senator has not visited your city.
There are many, including myself who would like to
visit! Maybe together, we could establish a
"Sister-City" relationship, that would help benefit
both of our homes...
We want to protect what is left of our wildplaces and
public lands, as well as, the people who live there.
I only wish that I could offer an alternative that
would bring you the money you need to make the
"improvements" you seek, that are low-impact,
renewable, and sustainable.
Eco-Tourism is a potential revenue stream, but it
couldn't begin to generate the huge amounts of money
that oil and gas development would bring in.
Yet, it is my belief that the fossil fuel dependency
should be put behind us. That new forms of energy
must be developed and used, here in the lower states
and around the world.
I wish to stand in solidarity with your people and
your city, as stewards and protectors of our shared
lands.
Please, give the world an invitation to come and
visit, and to learn from you.
All the best to you and yours,
j
