Photo courtesy Cristina Mittermeier, iLCPFor the last week, the iLCP, a group of internationally renowned photographers, has been on the ground taking part in a RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. Home to white spirit bears, ancient forests, and stunning marine biodiversity, it is one of the planet's most priceless treasures, but overseas oil interests wanting access to western Canada's tar sands, the second largest known oil reserves in the world, have put the region in threat, prompting the action of conservation groups and the iLCP. Throughout the expedition we have brought you profiles, stories and photos to learn more about the region and why it's so crucial that we all work to protect it.
And now it's time to act. Tell the story of the Great Bear Rainforest to your friends, neighbors, family — everyone! Share it on your blog, on Facebook and Twitter! And take a few minutes to tell the elected leaders of Canada that you strongly oppose bringing crude oil to the Great Bear Rainforest.
Contact: It is always a good idea to copy your letter or email to other sources. For example, if you write a letter to Prime Minister Harper, copy the two other ministers listed below.
Prime Minister, The Hon. Stephen Harper
Email: pm@pm.gc.ca
Mailing Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Minister of Natural Resources Canada , The Hon. Lisa Raitt
Email: Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca
Mailing Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613.996.7046
Minister of Fisheries & Oceans, The Hon. Gail Shea
Email: shea.g@parl.gc.ca
Mailing Address:
Room 259 West Block,
House of Commons
Ottawa, K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613.992.9223
Sample text: Below is some sample text for a letter or email to the Prime Minister. Make sure to personalize it — it's you're chance to speak up!
***
Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,
I strongly oppose bringing crude oil to the Great Bear Rainforest.
The proposed plan to build a crude oil pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the North Coast is the wrong choice for British Columbia. Allowing this pipeline to be built and oil tanker traffic in the pristine waters of the Great Bear Rainforest would undermine the conservation gains already made and the way of life of the coastal First Nations people.
More than 80 percent of British Columbians oppose crude oil tanker traffic on the North Coast and the coastal First Nations have declared a ban under their traditional laws. This project would be a major, long-term investment in dirty oil development at a time when B.C. and Canada should be investing in the clean energy economy.
We have the opportunity to set an example here. To show how we deal with the last few wild places on our planet and more importantly, for how we honor and respect the rights and traditions of First Nations and all indigenous people. I strongly urge you to have the foresight and ingenuity to move forward with a plan that will move British Columbia, and Canada, into the future instead of clinging to the status quo.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Phone
***
Fired up? While you're at it, write a letter to Enbridge, Inc. too! Tell them to keep their pipelines out of the Great Bear Rainforest!
Protect wildlife, while millions of cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens are being slaughtered mercilessly each day?
ReplyDeleteShouldn't we change our own diet before advocating for wild species while neglecting those closest to us?
Please read Bhagavad Gita As-It-Is to get the best perspective on all life on the planet.