A new report indicates arctic environments are too fragile to withstand increased oil exploration. The report entitled Arctic Oil and Gas 2007 was released by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP), an Arctic Council body.
Oil and gas activities are a major economic driver in the Arctic, producing billions of dollars since the 1970’s. Oil seepages are naturally occurring but oil spills and industrial activities are the largest human sources of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Arctic.
“The Arctic is generally considered to be vulnerable to oil spills due to slow recovery of cold, highly seasonal ecosystems, and the difficulty of clean up in remote, cold regions, especially in waters where sea ice is present” states the report.
Increases in oil and gas exploration will impact the world’s largest remaining areas of wilderness. Animals will experience habitat fragmentation and carcinogenic effects from oil exposure on skin, fur, feathers, uptake across gills, inhalation of gases, and ingestion.
View the Arctic Council, Oil and Gas Assessment (OGA)
View January 22, 2008 PlanetArk article
Visit the Arctic Council website
Winnipeg Extended Long Stay Motel Theme rooms
www.fishlakemanitobanarrows.com
Sphere: Related Content