7 Reasons to Protect the Gulf!
Save Our Seas and Shores -PEI Chapter
1. Fossil Fuel Development Threatens Coastal Industries Thousands of coastal residents in five provinces bordering the Gulf depend on commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries for their economic survival. Commercial fisheries in the Gulf alone are worth $1.5 billion per year and are already jeopardized by climate change, invasive species and other pollution sources. 2. The Gulf Provides Vital Habitat to 2000 Marine Species Among these are several species of special concern including the Atlantic salmon, Atlantic cod, fin whale, humpback whale and the endangered right whale, piping plover and blue whale. 3. Offshore Drilling Pollutes the Environment Large oil spills can devastate marine ecosystems and commercial fisheries, while smaller spills are inevitable. Since 1997, three oil rigs operating in Newfoundland waters have produced 337 spills, dumping an estimated 430,000 litres of toxic material into the Atlantic Ocean.
7 Reasons to Stop Oil and Gas Exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
4. Continued Reliance on Oil and Gas Increases Climate Change Impacts Expanding oil and gas extraction compromises greenhouse gas reduction strategies and will increase the severity of climate change impacts on PEI.
5. Maximum Liability for an Oil Spill is $30 Million British Petroleum has so far spent $37 billion on costs associated with the Deep Water Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In Canada, however, the enormous costs of a blowout would be paid for by taxpayers, not oil companies.
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6. Inadequate Capacity to Clean Up Oil Spill Currently, there is no evidence that capacity exists to respond to a significant oil spill in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Research suggests that the chemical dispersants used to clean up oil spills are toxic to marine life.
2. Write a letter outlining your concerns, and send to your MP, MLA and the Premier. Personal letters are worth a great many petition signatures, so your time is well spent!
7. Renewable Energy Strengthens Local Economy Oil and gas production creates fewer jobs than renewable energy projects while most revenue from fossil fuels does not remain in local communities. In contrast, local renewable energy projects can create more long-term jobs, reduce pollution, and support the provincial economy. Conclusion: Renewable resources in the Gulf play a vital role in the economies of the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec. The commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries are dependent upon a healthy marine ecosystem and bring billions of dollars of annual revenue to hundreds of coastal communities. Long-term benefits from these industries should not be risked for a few short-term dollars from oil and gas development. Save Our Seas and Shores PEI is calling for an immediate moratorium on oil and gas exploration and drilling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to protect this fragile marine ecosystem and the communities that it sustains.
You can help us oppose oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in the following ways‌.. 1. Sign our petition to the PEI Legislature!
3. Sign the Suzuki Foundation on-line petition at http://action.davidsuzuki.org/st-lawrence 4. Write the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board to protest approval of any oil and gas development in the Gulf . 5. Join the St. Lawrence Coalition! http://www.coalitionsaintlaurent.ca/en/ coalition#form 6. Join the Save Our Seas and Shores Facebook page! Save Our Seas and Shores - PEI Chapter c/o Voluntary Resource Centre 81 Prince St. Charlottetown, PE C1A 4R3 January, 2013