2003.02.19
Take Action Now to Save the Western Pacific Gray Whale!
February 19, 2003, is recognized in Russia
as International Whale Day, a day to celebrate and protect the world's largest
creatures. It is part of Whale Week, an internationally recognized week of
whale appreciation.
A species of whale that calls the shores of Sakhalin Island, in the Russian
Far East, their home is facing an immediate threat. The Western Pacific
Gray Whale is recognized around the world as critically endangered. Less
than 100 whales remain in the population. Russian environmentalists and whale
enthusiasts are seeking international action to save these endangered whales.
In the last few years, life has taken a turn for the worse for these beautiful
giants. Their feeding grounds coincide with the location of large offshore
oil and gas deposits. And now, two international oil consortiums led by Shell
and ExxonMobil are drilling for oil and gas in and nearby Western Pacific
Gray Whale feeding grounds. Both companies have carried out underwater seismic
blasts, and Shell has dumped drilling waste directly into the sea. If these
oil consortiums have their way, then this is only the beginning. The companies
plan to build piers, underwater oil pipelines, and another oil platform.
There is still time to prevent these projects from harming the whales'
survival! Shell and ExxonMobil can move forward only after receiving positive
environmental impact reviews from the Russian government. Write a letter,
send a fax, or make a phone call before or on February 19 to some key decision-makers,
and demand that they not threaten these whales!
A few minutes of your time now may mean survival for these whales.
Please forward this on to others!
**************************************************
Rory Cox
Communications Coordinator
Pacific Environment
1440 Broadway, Suite 306
Oakland, CA 94612
Ph: 510/251-8800 x302 www.pacificenvironment.org
<http://www.pacificenvironment.org/>
Protecting the Living Environment of the Pacific Rim
*To find out more about the international campaign to reform Export Credit
Agencies (ECAs), go to http://www.eca-watch.org
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