WWF calls for moratorium on oil exploration in Arctic

TROMSOE, Norway (AFP) – Global conservation group WWF called on Tuesday for a moratorium on all new oil exploration in the Arctic, insisting that the environmental risks to the sensitive eco system there were too great.

“The WWF is formally calling for a moratorium on new oil and gas development in the Arctic,” Neil Hamilton, director of the group’s Arctic programme, said at a conference in northern Norway on environmental challenges in the polar region.


Responding to oil and gas industry claims that the risks can be minimised, he insisted that the special conditions in the Arctic, including little natural light, extreme cold, strong winds and little to no visibility, could trip up emergency plans and increase the risk of oil spills.

While acknowledging that industry players had made efforts to improve security, he maintained that “an effective response (to oil spills in the region) cannot be achieved because technologies are not available or effective.”

AFP