In response to the annual sea ice minimum report from the National Snow & Ice Data Center, which was the fourth-lowest in the satellite record, Greenpeace USA Senior Arctic Campaigner Mary Nicol said:
“The sea ice minimum measurement is a devastating reminder of how fast we’re hurtling towards an unstoppable climate crisis. On the same day that the sea ice minimum reached its fourth lowest level, several environmental organizations, including activists and residents from impacted Alaskan and Gulf of Mexico communities, gathered at the White House urging President Obama to keep fossil fuels in the ground to avoid catastrophic climate change.
“Our leaders are receiving strong signals from impacted communities, scientists and the public that the extraction and burning of fossil fuels must stop if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Instead of using data like the sea ice minimum as a clear warning sign to take bold action, our leaders are allowing Shell to drill for oil in the melting Arctic ice. President Obama must put the brakes on an Arctic oil rush and commit to leaving publicly owned fossil fuels from federal lands in the ground.”
Contact:
Cassady Sharp, [email protected], 828-817-3328
