[IPSM] Documentary 'Oil on Ice' Used in Surge of Grassroots Efforts to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

From: "Macdonald Stainsby" <mstainsby at resist.ca>
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"We are caribou people. It is our clothing, our story, our song, our dance
and our food that is who we are. If you drill for oil here, you are
drilling right into the heart of our existence," said Sarah James,
Gwich'in from Arctic Village.
-----

Award-Winning Documentary 'Oil on Ice' Used in Surge of Nationwide
Grassroots Efforts to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Thu Mar 10,11:51 AM ET

To: National Desk, Environment Reporter

Contact: Heather Raney, 415-593-0192, for 'Oil on Ice'; or Annie Strickler
of the Sierra Club (news - web sites), 202-675-2384

WASHINGTON, March 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Just days before Congress will
consider including Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling provisions as
part of the Federal Budget Resolution, Sen. Barbara Boxer (news, bio,
voting record) (D-Calif.) joined 'Oil on Ice' filmmaker Dale Djerassi,
Alaska natives, and experts on the Arctic Refuge to field questions about
the film and the battle over the fate of America's natural treasure today
in Washington, D.C. The film is part of a surge in grassroots activity
across the country in response to renewed threats to drill in the Arctic
as part of the federal budget. Congress is expected to vote on the issue
next week.

" 'Oil on Ice' brings to life the beauty of this god-given environment and
gives voice to the native Alaskans who know the impact of drilling in a
wildlife refuge better than anyone in Washington. The majority of
Americans support preserving the Arctic Refuge and the surge in grassroots
support of protecting this precious area has been truly impressive," said
Boxer, who spoke at today's event.

"President Bush trying to sneak drilling into the budget tells you about
the fundamental weakness of the Republican's ideological push to sell off
our public lands to the special interests. The drilling lobby knows they
cannot sell the American people on this proposition, so they are resorting
to a procedural end-run instead of an open, honest debate. The American
people don't want drilling, and Congress has rejected it every year since
2001. Everyone except for George Bush seems to understand that drilling in
the Arctic Refuge would ruin one of our last wild places without doing a
thing to change our dependence on foreign oil. You can't drill your way to
energy independence; you have to invent your way there," said Sen. John
Kerry (news - web sites) (D-Mass.).

Winner of the International Documentary Association's prestigious 2004
Pare Lorentz Award, 'Oil on Ice' -- which offers a front-row seat to
witness the Refuge's serene beauty, wildlife, and native cultures as well
as an in-depth look at America's energy policy -- is a key tool in the
growing grassroots efforts to raise awareness of this important issue.
This Saturday marks Arctic Action Day across the country, with more than
1,500 'Oil on Ice' house parties planned for concerned citizens, including
many members of the Sierra Club, Alaska Wilderness League, and PIRG. Last
week, similar events were held at more than 380 university campuses and
community centers in the U.S. and Canada as part of Energy Action Day. The
screenings were organized by the youth- based group Energy Action and
coincided with the final day of a joint Energy Bill lobby week of the
Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and the Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC).

"This groundswell of grassroots action is evidence that Americans want to
save the Arctic Refuge, not squander it for a few months' worth of oil,"
said Sierra Club's Arctic Lobbyist Melinda Pierce. "This film documents
the splendor of the Refuge and is being shown at an opportune time, just
as Congress has the fate of this special place in its hands."

'Oil on Ice' is a multi-faceted media project about the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and the conflict over drilling for oil there.
The award-winning one-hour documentary film, WebDVD and Web site (
http://www.oilonice.org ) examine the battle over one of America's last
great wild places, which is currently at the symbolic center of a national
energy debate. 'Oil on Ice' shows how the fate of the Refuge is
inextricably linked to decisions our nation makes about energy policy,
transportation choices, and other seemingly unrelated matters, while the
culture and livelihood of the native Gwich'in Indians and the survival of
migratory wildlife are caught in the balance.

"We are caribou people. It is our clothing, our story, our song, our dance
and our food that is who we are. If you drill for oil here, you are
drilling right into the heart of our existence," said Sarah James,
Gwich'in from Arctic Village.

"As a person who lives off the Bowhead Whale in the Arctic Ocean, we need
to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for future generations.
What they are trying to do will set a precedent and no land and ocean will
be safe," said George Edwardson, Inupiaq from Barrow.

"In addition to the grassroots activities coordinated for Energy Action
Day and Arctic Action Day, 'Oil on Ice' is scheduled for public television
broadcasts beginning in April," said Dale Djerassi, co-producer and
co-director of 'Oil on Ice.' "We are delighted the American public will
have the opportunity to see that the Refuge is not a lifeless wasteland as
some would have us believe -- it is a national treasure worth protecting
for future generations."

'Oil on Ice' is co-produced and co-directed by Dale Djerassi and Bo
Boudart in association with Lobitos Creek Ranch, and is presented by
Sierra Club Productions.

For more information about 'Oil on Ice,' to purchase a DVD, host a house
party, or view the broadcast schedule, visit http://www.oilonice.org or
call 650-747-0206. For press photos, visit
http://www.oilonice.org/newsroom.

For more information about the fight to protect the Arctic Refuge, please
visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/wildlands/arctic/.

http://www.usnewswire.com/
--
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope.
--Brecht.