Halt offshore oil leasing and exploration in the Arctic and prohibit drilling.

Major oil companies shouldn't be given the right to exploit natural resources that belong to the the people and serve the commons. Oil drilling has been shown to be extremely dangerous and poorly regulated even in waters and climates that make disaster prevention far more plausible than the freezing seas of the Arctic. People depend on the Arctic sea's healthy ecosystems as a source of food, as a livelihood, and as a source of the bio and genetic diversity that humans have always relied on and will rely on more and more to survive in a rapidly changing world climate. The Arctic ocean cleans the air and offsets CO2 buildup. Why should people have to suffer the degradation of the natural environment that protects their health so oil companies can reap profits? (See asthma petition)