Faithful America Runs Petition Opposing Keystone XL Pipeline
As the Obama administration debates whether to approve the permit for the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline–which would carry millions of barrels of toxic tar sands oil from northern Canada over 1,700 miles to refineries in Texas–the faith community continues to raise their voices against this dangerous project.
NASA climate scientist James Hansen has said that “if the tar sands are thrown into the mix, it is essentially game over” for the earth’s climate. Reaching the oil in the tar sands will require cutting down hundreds of thousands of acres of boreal forests — a natural carbon reservoir. And a rupture in the pipeline could poison the source of drinking water for over two million people.
The pipeline was relatively unknown until climate activists spent two weeks protesting and getting arrested in acts of civil disobedience outside the White House to draw attention to the issue. Religious leaders played a key role in those protests and are planning to do the same when they return to DC this Sunday.
Faithful America is running a petition to show solidarity with these faith leaders and demonstrate their opposition to the pipeline. The petition is directed at President Obama, who is expected to make a final decision on approval soon:
President Obama,
The tar sands represent a catastrophic threat to our communities, our climate and our planet. We urge you to stand by your religious tradition and your commitment to clear moral leadership on climate change by rejecting the requested permit for the Keystone XL pipeline and instead focus on developing safe, clean energy that manifests reverence for God and God’s creation.
You can sign the petition here.
Photo credit: Josh Lopez, Tar Sands Action