U.S House Representatives Pass Arctic Protection Legislation

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-in-a-historic-vote-the-u-s-house-of-representatives-passes-legislation-to-protect-arctic-refuge-from-oil-drilling-saving-endangered-polar-bears-many-other-species/

Last week the United States House of Representatives passed the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act that will block the Trump Administrations efforts to proceed with oil drilling in the arctic. This is the very first stand alone bill passed by the House to protect the Arctic habitat and animals like the polar bear that are endangered. 

Recognizing that animals like the polar bear are endangered and facing significant perils in the wild as it is, this bill will prevent unnecessary oil drilling in the arctic. Polar bears are under intense pressure in the wild as their habitats have come under siege from a changing climate. This warming climate is causing their habitat which is mostly ice, to melt away making their existences significantly more difficult. From their need to move inland to a lack of prey perched on sea ice, they are already in danger of extinction without the added habitat destruction associated with unnecessary oil drilling.

The Arctic refuge contains the greatest biodiversity of any protected area north of the Arctic Circle. This is why it is extremely important to protect this ecosystem. The animals and marine life that make up this protected area are in constant danger as their habitat slowly changes with the climate. The Trump administration is a major climate change denier but the facts speak for themselves, polar bears are in danger. Their habitat IS disappearing, these are not made up stories to protect the bears, these are facts. These polar bears are moving closer and closer inwards which ultimately will lead to increased human conflict and as we know, humans always come before animals in the face of our government which will lead to more polar bears facing danger. As they are endangered, it is up to us to do everything we can to protect them and work towards helping their population grow to maintain a healthy ecosystem for all that make up this arctic ecosystem.

Interestingly, the arctic drilling was approved not out of being introduced and fairly debated on its own, but it was slipped into a larger tax bill where it could passed without a debate among the house. This tactic is unsurprising of the Trump administration as they have repeatedly made it clear through their actions that the oil and fuel industry come before the environment and animals. Their administration has demonstrated an almost neurotic lack of empathy towards animals, so much so that they have faced significant lawsuits regarding their poor track record.

Americans surveyed son't want oil drilling, they want protected polar bears. The Trump admin's slimy attempt to allow oil drilling is another example of their deceitfulness but thanks to this bill, they won't be drilling anytime in the near future.

Check out the original story from World Animal News through the link at the top of the page!

HAPPY VEG