WIREDGOV

Rod Downie, WWF Polar Programme Manager, commented on Royal Dutch Shell's announcment that it will cease oil exploration in offshore Alaska for the foreseeable future.

"Today the Arctic has seen a reprieve from Shell’s irresponsible drilling. Their reckless $7 billion pursuit of oil in this fragile icy habitat puts local people and wildlife, such as polar bears, at risk. 
 
"Shell should now set out to concerned shareholders and the public how it intends to transition its business model to one which is compatible with tackling climate change."
 
Notes to editors:

There is no technology for the effective containment, recovery or clean-up of oil spilled in icy waters.  Oil exploration is also at odds with global action on climate change when the scientific evidence is that the vast majority of the world’s known fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground if we are to keep global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celcius.