Urgent: Call your senators to save the Arctic

A last-minute amendment to a must-pass bill threatens the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with drilling and development.

The threat to the Arctic

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest remaining pristine wildernesses on our planet. The magnificent coastal plain is home to polar bears, birds, caribou, and countless other natural treasures.

Oil drilling in the Arctic could destroy this special place forever. The best way to ensure the Arctic Refuge survives is to stop any drilling there before it starts by preventing future lease sales. 

The Senate is poised to vote on protecting the Arctic Refuge from drilling — but Senator Lisa Murkowski has introduced pro-drilling amendments to a must-pass budget bill. Senators could vote on these amendments as soon as tonight, and we need as many voices as possible to speak up for the Arctic urgently.

How to help

Calling your senators will take only a few minutes, and will make a big impact. Here’s what you need to do:

First, find your senators’ contact information. Use the dropdown menu on this website to select your state, and your senators’ names and phone numbers will appear.

Making the call is quick and easy. Use this script as a guide:

  • Begin by introducing yourself. Say your name, the town you live in, and that you are a constituent. 

  • Be clear about why you are calling. Say: “I’m calling to ask Senator _____ to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling by voting no on Amendments 3137, 3788, 3789, and 3790.”

  • Then say a few more words to tell them why. Here are a few ideas:

    • The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a priceless wilderness. Its coastal plain is called “America’s Serengeti” due to the dizzying array of wildlife living and migrating there.

    • With today’s clean energy advancements, the idea of threatening polar bears, caribou and the native Gwich’in people that depend on the caribou, and all the countless other species that call the refuge home for more oil feels both antiquated and foolhardy.

    • Some places, like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, have always been too special to ruin, and should be left in their natural pristine state.

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Authors

Ellen Montgomery

Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America

Ellen runs campaigns to protect America's beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. Prior to her current role, Ellen worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign. Ellen lives in Denver, where she likes to hike in Colorado's mountains.

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