Grizzly on beach of Copper River, Alaska © Pete LavigneSound Truth and Corporate Myth$: The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, a newly released book from Dr. Riki Ott, exposes the long-lasting harm to human and ecosystem health of the 1989 environmental tragedy. Riki Ott is currently touring the country discussing the true toxicity of oil.
In her latest book, Dr. Riki Ott exposes the profound legacy of the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. The author chronicles the long-lasting environmental harm to Prince William Sound, Alaska, and investigates the health problems suffered by many cleanup workers. Exxon's spill provided a portal to understanding a startling truth: oil is much more toxic than we previously thought. Sound Truth and Corporate Myth$ frames the larger story of the discovery of the truly toxic nature of oil.
Please visit the Sound Truths website for the schedule of Dr. Ott's upcoming appearances.
Since 1987, Dr. Riki Ott has dedicated her academic training in marine biology and toxicology to help the public understand the effects of oil, mining, and timber industry activities on water quality and marine and aquatic ecosystems. She has helped citizens use this new knowledge to redefine business practices and government accountability to improve the general quality of life through environmental protection, social justice, and economic stability. She has written numerous white papers and one book (Alaska's Copper River Delta, University of Washington Press, 1998), served on several state-appointed advisory or working groups, worked with many nonprofit organizations in various capacities (founding director to volunteer), testified often before Congress and the Alaska State Legislature, and received state and national recognition for her work.
"Important! Chilling! Courageous! Like David confronting Goliath, Riki Ott challenges the giant Exxon to account for its lies and evasions. If you care about life on earth, you must read this book. And, as Ott begs, do your bit to force Exxon to compensate its victims and revise its safety measures. We must join forces to safeguard our planet from the effects of chemical poisons and global climate change."
- Jane Goodall PhD, DBE UN Messenger of Peace
"Riki Ott brings on-the water experience, scientific knowledge, eloquence, personal courage and great determination to the task of writing SOUND TRUTH AND CORPORATE MYTH$.... As an Exxon shareholder, I sincerely hope this book hits home."
- David Rockefeller, Jr.
"This book doesn't just change your view of the Exxon Valdez spill; it forces us to dramatically reassess the risks from petroleum and the enormous costs that industry is imposing on our health and planet."
- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Sound Truth and Corporate Myth$: The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill; Dragonfly Sisters Press, 2005; 600 pages; $24.95; ISBN: 0964522667
The Copper River Delta has the largest concentration of nesting shorebirds in North America, is an important nursery for prized salmon and other fisheries, and is a relatively unspoiled wilderness area with keystone predators including wolves and grizzlies.
The Columbia River watershed is a critical link in the mega-linkages of the Pacific flyway and predator migration corridor. It is the nerve center for salmon restoration, and one of the world's most highly manipulated great river systems.
The Colorado River system flows 1,450 miles through nine states and Mexico; the Grand Canyon was created by its waters. The aridity of most of this region has made its water into a valuable commodity, and the fragile desert, canyon, and delta ecosystems it supports have suffered as a result.
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