Preserving the Arctic
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
Peter Ewins, director of Arctic Conservation for the World Wildlife Federation, says a balanced approach to pipeline development can result in a conservation first approach to the future of the Northwest Territories.
"We can win this one because there is an attitude of "people taking care of the land" among all of the partners in the development of the Mackenzie Valley, " Peter said at our last meeting.
"We can win this one because there is an attitude of "people taking care of the land" among all of the partners in the development of the Mackenzie Valley, " Peter said at our last meeting.
The Mackenzie Valley is under tremendous development pressure because it's a large source of oil and gas. It also contains the largest boreal forrest left in the world.
"Because of its cultural and biological diversity, this area is a world-class environmental landscape. Some of these small villages have been there for thousands of years. The valley is home to the caribou and the grizzly. We need to support sustainable utlization for wildlife and support the people and culture in the region."
Peter says an Inuvialuit saying expresses it best; "If we look after our resources, our resources will look after us."
Peter is confident that a partnership between eight aboriginal organizations, government, industry and environmental groups will adopt a protection first approach to future oil and gas development.
"We are hoping this partnership will set the bar for a balanced approach to all future pipeline development. A conservation first mandate is critical to preserving this precious Canadian resource."
Visit www.wwf.ca for more details.
"Because of its cultural and biological diversity, this area is a world-class environmental landscape. Some of these small villages have been there for thousands of years. The valley is home to the caribou and the grizzly. We need to support sustainable utlization for wildlife and support the people and culture in the region."
Peter says an Inuvialuit saying expresses it best; "If we look after our resources, our resources will look after us."
Peter is confident that a partnership between eight aboriginal organizations, government, industry and environmental groups will adopt a protection first approach to future oil and gas development.
"We are hoping this partnership will set the bar for a balanced approach to all future pipeline development. A conservation first mandate is critical to preserving this precious Canadian resource."
Visit www.wwf.ca for more details.