SIGN ON TO PROTECT THE ARCTIC REFUGE
Creation Justice Ministries has long opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, not only to protect God’s creation, but also because of our commitment to standing with the Gwich’in people, the Alaska Native community who have cared for the Refuge since time immemorial. For daily sustenance, the Gwich’in depend on the Porcupine caribou herd, whose birthing patterns would be disrupted by oil exploration in the Refuge, ultimately threatening the survival of both the caribou and the Gwich’in people. We need permanent, durable conservation protection for the Arctic Refuge now.
Find more information and sign a petition on our faith-based coalition page "Faith for the Arctic" here.
Find more information and sign a petition on our faith-based coalition page "Faith for the Arctic" here.
UPDATE:
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is no longer safehaven for wildlife. The 2017 tax reform bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump has removed conservation protections for the Refuge. Two corporations and an oil services firm have jointly applied to begin seismic testing on the Refuge’s rich, biodiverse 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain—the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which the nearby Gwich’in First Nation relies on for food security and culture. The Trump Administration expedited environmental review processes to allow companies to engage in seismic testing, a process to find oil and gas deposits that sends sound waves underground. Seismic testing requires large crews, and the trails from the crews that conducted similar seismic testing on the Refuge’s Coastal Plain back in the ’80s still mark the terrain. Companies applying for testing permits argue that they’ve come together to help minimize any environmental damage. They plan to use sleds, smaller vehicles, and biodegradable lubricants, as well as build ice roads. They’ll also be using explosives and airstrips to get the job done. There is simply no way seismic testing can get done without permanently damaging the Refuge. Executive Director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee Bernadette Dementieff has faith Alaska Native tribes throughout the region will come together to stop this extraction. “We’ll go to every courtroom,” she said. “We’ll go to every community meeting. We’re not giving up. We’re not going to allow them to destroy the calving grounds." Thanks to the leadership of the Gwich'in people and many allies, major banks and corporations have pledged not to back fossil fuel extraction in the area. On January 6, 2021, the Trump Administration had an open auction, where the State of Alaska secured a lease to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. |
![]() Many members of the Gwich'in community are part of the Episcopal Church, and blend traditional indigenous belief systems with Christian theology and practice. Since the Episcopal General Convention passed a resolution in 1991, this issue has been a top priority of the Episcopal Church. Many other faith traditions have also made commitments over the years to stand with the Gwich'in. Because of this, Creation Justice Ministries is calling on the ecumenical community to join in solidarity.
Advocacy
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Faith in Action: What Does Solidarity Look Like?
Faith and environmental justice leaders are standing together to speak up to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Here are a few of their perspectives.
Protecting the Refuge - Protecting the Future by Princess Daazhraii Johnson, former Executive Director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, Neets'aii Gwich'in
We must protect ‘sacred place where life begins' by Episcopal Church immediate past Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Congress must protect lands sacred to Gwich’in people by Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Montana
My Turn: Saving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: A sacred part of our collective story by Bonnie Demerjian
South Carolina, Arctic Natives, share a call for a clean environment by Rev. William Miller, African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Arctic Refuge: The Home that Lasts Forever by Bishop David Mahaffey, Orthodox Church in America, Alaska diocese
Hallowed Ground: Arctic Refuge Worthy of Federal Protection by Penny Gay, Church of the Brethren Going to the Garden ministry
Do We Really Need Arctic Drilling for Energy Security? by Ryan Patrick Murphy, executive director of Crossroads of the Rockies, a nonprofit Christian organization in Colorado providing relief to people’s immediate needs
We must protect ‘sacred place where life begins' by Episcopal Church immediate past Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Congress must protect lands sacred to Gwich’in people by Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Montana
My Turn: Saving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: A sacred part of our collective story by Bonnie Demerjian
South Carolina, Arctic Natives, share a call for a clean environment by Rev. William Miller, African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Arctic Refuge: The Home that Lasts Forever by Bishop David Mahaffey, Orthodox Church in America, Alaska diocese
Hallowed Ground: Arctic Refuge Worthy of Federal Protection by Penny Gay, Church of the Brethren Going to the Garden ministry
Do We Really Need Arctic Drilling for Energy Security? by Ryan Patrick Murphy, executive director of Crossroads of the Rockies, a nonprofit Christian organization in Colorado providing relief to people’s immediate needs