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Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has announced a plan to open over 1.5 million acres in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. This decision has sparked concern among local activists from the Arctic Defense Campaign, who are urging Texas-based oil and gas companies to refrain from exploiting the refuge.
The Arctic Refuge is considered one of America's last pristine wild areas, home to diverse wildlife including polar bears and caribou. The fragile ecosystem is at risk from activities such as seismic testing, which involves using large trucks that can damage the land and disrupt animal habitats.
In response, more than a thousand Texans have signed petitions and written letters expressing their opposition to drilling in the area. An additional 150 people are expected to join this campaign on Wednesday at an event organized by the Arctic Defense Campaign at the University of Houston.
Volunteers will gather on the M.D. Anderson Library Lawn dressed as Arctic animals, carrying banners with messages like "Arctic Drilling is Scary" and "Protect the Arctic!" They aim to collect signatures for petitions urging corporations to avoid participating in lease sales that could harm this unique environment.
The activists emphasize that avoiding drilling in the Arctic is crucial for preserving its ecological significance and protecting it for future generations.
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