Activists are still waiting for President Obama’s official decision concerning the Keystone XL pipeline. Americans rallied in over 44 states last Monday night to hold protest vigils. A 30-day public comment period is now underway. The time to speak out is now.
The State Department has published its “Final Environmental Impact Statement” [FEIS], green-lighting the project – despite its alarming social impacts. In addition to environmental degradation, there is mounting concern that Keystone will heighten the vulnerability of marginalized populations along the pipeline. The negative effects of oil sands expansion are not unfamiliar. Undermined democracy, increasing health challenges, and increased sexual violence against women are documented in Nobel Women’s previous report, Breaking Ground.
Industry experts note official decisions may be postponed until after congressional elections next November and integrity of the FEIS has been called into question. “It is critical that an independent and transparent review … commence immediately,” write pipeline opponents. Other analysts warn Washington that support of the pipeline centres on “greed, cynicism, and short-sightedness.”
The Nobel Women’s Initiative believes that the collective pressure of grassroots activists and communities has the potential to raise the environmental conscience of the Presidential Office. The voices of those most greatly affected should be heard above the rest.
LEARN MORE
“Obama won’t rush Keystone decision, White house says” The Globe & Mail, 2 February 2014
“Keystone a pawn of global climate politics” The Globe & Mail, 6 February 2014
“State Depatment Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline”, ECO Watch, 31 January 2014
“XL Pipeline Could Bring Epidemic of Violence Against Women” Care2, 30 January 2014
“Will Keystone XL Pump Sexual Violence Into South Dakota?” Today Media Network, 27 January 2014
Read the “Final Environmental Impact Statement” [FEIS] published 31 January 2014 by the US State Department
See the full report: “Breaking Ground: Women, Oil and Climate Change in Alberta and British Columbia”
TAKE ACTION
Raise your voice: Submit your comments on the national interest determination
Get a reality check on the effects of Canadian oil sands.