Take a time out on Arctic industrialization until we can study the environmental impact.

Take a time out on Arctic industrialization until we can study the environmental impact.

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<p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=13705796&amp;external_id=10396.-1492054">http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=13705796&amp;external_id=10396.-1492054</a></p>
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<p><strong>Take a time out on Arctic industrialization until we can study the environmental impact.</strong></p>
<p><strong>An opportunity for science-based change in the Arctic</strong><br /><br /><br />For eight years, the Bush environmental policy was to disregard environmental policy. With a nod and a wink from the White House, industry forged ahead with complete disregard for the environmental impacts of destructive development. <strong>Scientific studies were routinely ignored or, in some cases, never conducted.</strong></p>
<p>The new Obama administration now has an important opportunity to break from the past regarding the value and place of science. As water temperatures rise due to climate change, many of the commercially fished species in the Bering Sea are expected to expand their range into the Arctic Ocean, one of the least studied areas in the world. A North Pacific fishery management group recently recommended that the Arctic be closed to new commercial fishing until it can be shown that such activities would not impact the health of the ecosystem.</p>
<p>The Arctic is home to iconic species like polar bears, walruses, whales, seabirds and other animals. Native people depend on a healthy sea for their subsistence way of life. All are struggling to adapt to a changing Arctic &ndash; do we really want more development without knowing the consequences?</p>
<p><strong>We need a comprehensive plan for the Arctic based on sound science. Let's take a time out on Arctic industrialization until we can study the environmental impact.</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://netcommunity.alaskawild.org//page.redir?target=http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid%3d13705796&amp;srcid=1784&amp;srctid=1&amp;erid=1492054">Click here to submit a public comment to the National Marine Fisheries Service - environmental impacts should be studied before decisions are made.</a></strong><br />&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=13705796&amp;external_id=10396.-1492054">http://www.capwiz.com/alaskawild/issues/alert/?alertid=13705796&amp;external_id=10396.-1492054</a></p>
<p><b>Urge science in Arctic fishing decision</b></p>
<p>As water temperatures rise due to climate change, many Alaskan fish species are expected to expand their range into the Arctic Ocean, one of the least studied areas in the world. &nbsp;<br /><br />A North Pacific fishery management group recently recommended that the Arctic be closed to new commercial fishing until it can be shown that such activities would not impact the health of the ecosystem. &nbsp;<br /><br /><b>Urge the administration to make a break from Bush policy and ensure that environmental impacts are studied before decisions are made.</b>

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