Make Your Voice Heard

On July 26^th, listening to the evening news on the car radio, I was elated to learn that the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that sonic testing by oil companies must cease on the waters in the Arctic.  This decision is the result of a hard- fought battle by the people of the tiny hamlet of Clyde River in Nunuvut. Now, marine mammals like beluga, bowhead and narwhals will be protected from deafening seismic blasts. The decision goes against National Energy Board’s agreement to allow 3 Norwegian companies seeking to fire air guns into the waters of Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.  As part of the ruling, the Inuit community of Clyde River received long term assurance that their culture and way of life will continue.  Most importantly, the ruling stated that the federal government must ensure that Indigenous concerns are heard and treaty rights are honoured.  There must be honest consultation.

Throughout the last three years, the Greenpeace Canada website had been collecting online signatures from the public to support the Inuit community’s local efforts to stop the underwater testing which would wreak havoc on marine life.

Of all the online appeals for signatures to support various causes that pop up on my computer screen, I felt compelled to add my signature to Green Peace Canada to support the people of Clyde River in their quest to halt the big oil Goliath.  As Green Peace regularly reported, the online signatures grew steadily to an astounding over 400,000 advocates petitioning the federal government to stand up for Indigenous rights and stop seismic testing.  Finally, after much work by the Clyde River Inuit and supported by signatures and interventions, justice prevailed.  Clyde River WON their case at the Supreme Court of Canada.  I felt that my signature played a tiny part in that victory.

As to becoming involved in various online pleas for support, it is easy for me to give a cursory glance at the issue presented and press “delete”.  Presto! I have one less thing to consider on a busy day.  However, I’m learning to take a second look and put some time into researching various causes and choose initiatives where my support might make a difference.

I’m proud that I supported the fight to halt a dangerous oil exploration project that threatened the Canadian Arctic.  All it took was some time and effort --- and pressing “click” on the Green Peace website.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Staning Up to Fossil Fuels

No doubt you’ve heard on the National News about the people of Clyde River in the high Arctic who have been working for several years to stop destructive oil exploration in their area.  With their efforts blocked at every turn, they’ve chosen an alternate route that will help to lessen their dependence on fossil fuels and welcome clean energy into their territory.

As outlined in the accompanying short video, they’ve chosen to install solar panels which will harness the sun’s rays.  Since the Arctic is unique in having sunshine 24 hours a day during the summer months, this installation will augment the amount of energy captured.  Hopefully, the solar initiative will grow and prosper, exemplifying the ingenuity and creativity of Canada’s Arctic people in finding a creative solution to combat oil exploration which threatens their livelihood and fragile ecosystems.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Clyde River is starting a solar revolution.

Watch it now – and help spread the word.  

Have you heard of Clyde River?

The people in the tiny hamlet of Clyde River live on the shore of Baffin Island’s Patricia Bay. As one of the world’s most remote communities, it is challenging the National Energy Board’s decision to approve a five-year search for oil off Clyde River’s coast. The exploration relies on seismic testing, a process of firing explosions through the ocean to find oil. This is a first step towards dangerous oil drilling in the Arctic and a precursor to oil drilling in the Baffin Bay Davis Strait area.

Seismic testing could cause biological damage to dolphins, porpoises and whales.  In fact, 80-90%of the world’s narwhales make the Arctic waters their home. Furthermore, explosions from testing can disrupt the paths of marine animals sometimes causing hearing loss and even death.

The 900 people of Clyde River have the Nunavut Association of Municipalities behind them as they press forward with their legal challenge. Every mayor from Nunavut’s 25 communities has signed on to support Clyde River’s challenge against the Conservative government that deferred the decision to their energy regulator. However, it is disheartening to note that the people who will be affected most and who possess the best knowledge of the region have not been consulted.

Let’s join the people of Clyde River in their fight to protect one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems. Let’s petition the Canadian government and their National Energy Board to cease dangerous oil exploration in Canada’s Arctic.

To add your voice, please sign the petition in support of Clyde River’s endangered habitat by clicking on the following link:  http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/inuit-community-battles-big-oil-to-save-prime/blog/51250/

Jean Moylan, CSJ