Dear Secretary Salazar:

Given the growing fragility of Earth's ecosystem, in light of climate change, and with past environmental disasters in mind, when special interests want to undertake projects that could potentially harm our environment, we better be sure the correct precautions are taken. That's what I'm asking you to do in the case of Shell's plans to drill for oil off the coast of northern Alaska.

You see, Shell has been the company at the core of other oil spills; in addition, it's clear the proper steps have not been taken to ensure a spill doesn't happen again. It seems you have ensured just that, but I urge you not to speak on such issues unless you have the scientific evidence to back it up — and I have not seen such evidence as of yet.

Please make sure any potentially hazardous drilling does not move forward without explicit review of its possible effects on the surrounding environment. The American people simply want candor and honesty.

Thank you.