This 19-million-acre refuge in Alaska's Arctic is home to bears, wolves, caribou, musk oxen and other species. It is also a critical source of food for Gwich'in and Iñupiat communities that have deep connections to the land and depend on it to feed their communities and sustain their way of life.
How long has the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge been protected?
It's home to more than 200 different species of migratory birds and is an important breeding ground for caribou and polar bears. But it's what lies beneath the permafrost that has been sparking political debate since the refuge was created. In 1980 , Congress passed a law that protected 80 percent of ANWR.
Should we drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The Arctic is no place for oil and gas drilling , and this site is not far from one of America's last wild places—the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Why do indigenous communities and conservationists want to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge provides the calving grounds for the Porcupine Caribou herd . ... The coastal plain is the heart of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, not only for caribou, but for many other animals who are born there and raise their young there because it's a safe place away from predators.
Why was the Arctic refuge created?
Through their efforts, the Refuge was originally established “For the purpose of preserving unique wildlife, wilderness and recreational values... .” In 1980 the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act renamed “Range” to “Refuge,” increased the total area of the Refuge to nineteen million acres, designated a ...
Is the Arctic refuge in danger?
Imperiled polar bears face new threat in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In the Arctic, wildlife is being forced to adapt to an environment warming twice as fast as any other region on the planet.
Is the Arctic Wildlife Refuge saved?
In the last 60 years, both Democratic and Republican Presidents have taken steps to protect its wildlife, wilderness, and history. Protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been a bipartisan effort throughout its history. However, the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge remains unprotected.
How does Arctic drilling affect animals?
Expansion of oil and gas drilling in their habitat could be extremely damaging. Direct contact with spilled oil would kill polar bears but an invisible threat could persist for years, as toxic substances lingering in ice or water may impact the entire food web of the Arctic ecosystem for years to come.
Why is drilling in Alaska bad?
There are as many reasons that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a bad idea as there are caribou that call it home . ... Drilling in the refuge would damage the habitat of the wolves, muskoxen, arctic foxes, wolverines, brown bears, golden eagles, tundra swans and snowy owls that call it home.
Why are humans banned from the Arctic Refuge?
Because Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is so vast, is so largely untouched by human activity , and contains such a wide variety of fragile ecosystems, it has long been under scrutiny for signs of potential climate change.
Who lives in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
Approximately 200 species of birds call the Arctic Refuge home at least part of the year, including snowy owls, Arctic terns and golden eagles.
How many signatures does protect the Arctic need?
Thanks for the 2 million signatures for Saving the Arctic.
Why we should drill in the Arctic?
Oil drilling in any capacity always provides an economic boost , but Arctic Sea drilling conveys certain unique and specific benefits. By developing offshore drilling in the Arctic Sea, oil companies can enrich the surrounding areas, bolster the nation's oil reserves and even lead to scientific developments.
How many animals are in the Arctic wildlife Refuge?
Arctic Refuge is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular wildlife in the arctic. The Refuge's rich pageant of wildlife includes 42 fish species, 37 land mammals, eight marine mammals , and more than 200 migratory and resident bird species.
Who Started protect the Arctic?
Eisenhower established the 8.9 million acre Arctic National Wildlife Range in 1960. His successor, President Jimmy Carter, added to this effort in 1980. President Carter expanded the amount of land protected, designated much of the land as protected Wilderness, and renamed it the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
