Conserving time

I'm not sure what level of awarness there is for the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) issue anywhere else in the world, but did you know that the Bush administration is desperate for the oil and gas that apparently runs rampant there?

Some say there is enough oil and gas that lies under the sensitive ecosystem of ANWR to last the US another 50 years. Others say the oil and gas there would only be enough to supply the US for 6 months at their current rate of consumption. Either way once it's destroyed, it's destroyed.

Oil and gas is running out. We're going to have to start conserving sometime. If the money spent on the highly expensive "non-intrusive" oil and gas extraction of ANWR could be redirected into conservation methods and education I'm sure the same amount of oil and gas could be saved, along with ANWR.

ANWR is the calving ground of the Porcupine Caribou herd. One of the last migrating caribou herds on earth and certainly the largest with over 120,000 caribou. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation rely on the herd for their livelihood and have done for over 20,000 years. They have been spending all of their time and resources in Washington in the last five years fighting to protect their co-existance with this herd.

Oh yeah, ANWR also borders Ivvavik National Park and Vuntut National Park. Both Canadian parks.

The language in the US budget bill allowing oil and gas exploration in ANWR was passed by the Senate in March after a 51 - 49 vote. This week it's been advanced again, this time by the House with a 214 - 211 vote. Apparently 70% of Americans are against openning up ANWR for oil and gas...

If you're interested in learning more you can go here www.beingcaribou.com Named after an amazing NFB documentry of a couple that migrated with the Porcupine Caribou herd.

Here are a few photos from the protest held outside and then peacefully inside the Yukon legislature...