Alaska governor wants 'more drilling' to deal with climate change

Global warming is costing Alaska big time, and to help pay the billsIndependentGovernor Bill Walker wants to drill for more oil.

Alaska is already feeling the effects of climate change.For example, thevillage of Kivalinais facing the prospect of evacuation, as diminishing sea ice leaves the community defenceless against the ocean.

But moving villages, and other climate defense measures, are expensive, and the state can't easily generate themoney to pay for the projects.

Alaskans do not pay income or sales tax and the state get most of its revenuefrom levies on oil and gas, reports the BBC. Meanwhile, oil prices are down and theTrans Alaskan Pipeline, which is supposed to transport twomillion barrels of oil a day, is running at 25 per cent capacity.

Recently, the state also got the news that Shell will cease oil and gas exploration off the state's northwest coast.

When asked by the BBCif Alaskashould be drilling for oil in order to raise revenues, Walker not only said he is in favour of the idea, butthat he also supports drilling inthe protected lands of the Arctic National Wilderness refuge.

Greenpeace expressed outraged.

Some are wondering if the story is actually satire.

While others detected a hint of irony.

Some are just in pain.