Opening our national coastlines to oil exploration would begin with seismic testing to find where the oil is located. Seismic blasts have a decibel level of 260 - that's more than twice as loud as an ambulance siren. Whales, dolphins and other marine mammals rely on their sense of hearing to navigate, to locate food and to communicate with each other. Exposure to this level of sound underwater can cause deafening disorientation and can lead to permanent damage and brain hemorrhaging and even cause entire pods of whales and dolphins to beach.
Only last week over 100 melon-head whales beached off of Madagascar close to where ExxonMobil was conducting seismic testing.
Seismic testing is not the only danger offshore drilling would cause for our oceans and wildlife. Major oil spills would threaten our beaches, fish, and marine mammals. And global warming is already a major threat to our world's oceans, and despite McCain's efforts to combat it, drilling for more oil will only cause more greenhouse gas emissions.
Instead of pushing for more drilling, we should be investing in renewable energy sources.
In order to stop this concerted effort to drill offshore, I need YOUR help to mobilize your friends, family, and coworkers. It's up to each of us to share the real impacts of drilling offshore.
Please, take just a second to sign our petition to McCain and pass it along to your friends.
Thank you,
John Passacantando
Executive Director
P.S. This issue is critical, and we need all the support we can get. Once you've taken action, please, send this alert to your friends and family too.
