Will Shell's Oil Drilling Endanger Arctic Residents? Author Reveals Facts Not Covered in Government's BP Spill Investigation

BOONE, N.C., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday's report released by the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling details the group's findings on the causes of the oil spill and outlines recommended reforms for the industry. Because of these findings, and also a concern for air quality standards, the EPA has delayed Shell Oil's exploratory drilling in the Arctic Ocean until their concerns are met. Shell has proposed a July 2011 start date.

Dr. Harvard Ayers is an anthropologist and author whose latest book, Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land, examines the impact that petroleum development has on the Native people and other residents of the Arctic region who will be directly affected by Shell's planned offshore drilling. Dr. Ayers can also share details about the climate change that has already taken place in the Arctic and surrounding areas.

Invite Dr. Ayers to answer:

• What are the Offshore Commission's primary recommendations?
• What is the potential impact that Arctic Ocean drilling would have on the whales and the Inupiat Eskimo people?  
• Why don't common oil-removal techniques work well in icy Arctic waters?
• Why would the lack of infrastructure in the Alaskan Arctic impede any clean-up of a major oil spill?  
• What lessons from the BP disaster should Shell take into account before starting?

CREDENTIALS: Dr. Harvard Ayers is an anthropologist and the author of several books including his latest, Arctic Gardens: Voices from an Abundant Land. He and his books have been featured by The Charleston Gazette, The Charlotte Observer, the Raleigh News & Observer, History Channel show Hillbilly, the Real Story, PBS show Appalachia, the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Common Dreams, Truthout, and KBZZ Fox Radio News in Nevada.

AVAILABILITY: North Carolina, nationwide by arrangement, and via telephone

CONTACT: Dr. Harvard Ayers, (828) 406-8200 (NC); [email protected]; http://www.arcticvoices.org

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SOURCE Dr. Harvard Ayers