Instead of adopting smart energy solutions that will help wean Americans off oil and save us money at the pump, this month the U.S. Senate voted to open eight million acres off the shores of Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama to destructive oil and gas drilling.
New oil and gas drilling will add to the billions in profits already being made by Big Oil - but it will do nothing to lower gas prices for American families, and will keep our nation dangerously dependent on oil. Drilling in our beautiful coastal waters also hurts coastal economies, ruins scenic views and wreaks havoc on the habitat areas of marine wildlife.
Marine wildlife like dolphins, whales, sea turtles, migratory birds, and fish like shark and tuna are all threatened by offshore drilling operations.
All five species of sea turtles found in the Gulf of Mexico are endangered or threatened – and because they are difficult to see from vessels, the risk of collisions is high.
Marine mammals like the endangered sperm whale spend large amounts of time at the surface of the ocean – putting them in danger of being struck by increased boat traffic from drilling operations.
Migratory birds are attracted to lighted drilling platforms. Confused, they will spend entire nights circling the platforms ... until they simply die of exhaustion.
Are we going to let these animals die ... and our coastlines be defiled ... and continue to be gouged at the pump ... all to fund Big Oil?
Please help the Sierra Club and its efforts to protect our coastal habitats, speak out against increased offshore drilling and promote smart energy solutions.
Instead of increasing oil drilling and putting marine wildlife at risk, Congress could be raising the fuel economy of our cars, encouraging the use of renewable energy like wind and solar power, and adopting other, existing technologies that cut pollution and curb global warming.
[go to SierraClub.org to donate]