Assignment #5: ANWR Example Letter

Suzy Environmentalist

1850 Bailey Hill Rd.

Eugene, OR 97405

April 22, 2011

Dear Senator Smith,

I am a high school student in Eugene at Churchill High School. I am earning my CAM in Natural Resource Systems and have taken two years of environmental science courses through the Rachel Carson Academy at Churchill.

After hearing that members of the House and Senate are seriously considering allowing drilling in ANWR again, I am gravely concerned about the consequences of this action.

Although I understand the complexities of our energy needs as a nation, I strongly oppose opening the pristine wilderness of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Not only is this drilling ill-advised because of the ecological harm it may do, but research also shows that the ANWR won't provide a sustainable, long-term source of oil for Americans or the world.

The ANWR is an ecologically unique and vital wilderness that is home to many important species of plants and animals, such as caribou, wolves and polar bears. Drilling operations, no matter how carefully planned and implemented, could irreversibly damage this refuge. I don't believe the short-term gain is worth such a grave long-term cost.

I believe that Americans need to hear more straight talk about our energy consumption and that conservation must be urged by our political leadership. Operations like drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge give Americans the false sense that our current energy consumption is sustainable when most who study the issue carefully realize that it isn't. Once the oil is gone from the ANWR (and some estimate it could be gone within a year of drilling), where else will we turn? Long-term solutions must include conservation and the development of alternative energy sources rather than continued drilling and consumption.

Thanks for considering my thoughts when you vote.

Sincerely,
Suzy Environmentalist