Written by Krisha Karnavat
Edited by Emil Koch & Chaeli-Jade Pienaar
The Willow Project has prompted the interest of global news and headlines in 2023 but for reasons of massive concern rather than much positive. This $8 billion project by ConocoPhillips is expected to release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution each year, equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to today's roads. Yet, despite the Biden administration's stated commitment to tackling climate change, the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management approved the project in March 2023. Originally approved by the Trump administration in 2020, the Willow Oil Project goes against everything climate activists have been working to prevent. With irreversible damage to the Earth looming, we won't be able to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C. This could lead to job losses, illnesses, displacement of entire communities, and catastrophic effects on local wildlife.
Why was such an intricately controversial project approved in the first place?
Governing bodies continue to allow factors such as greed for money to impede their judgment surrounding the safety of our environment, which affects not only communities in the short term but all generations to come. Economic needs are being prioritized over environmental needs more and more common, even when the issue of climate change increases its invasion each day. Supporters of the Willow Project (mainly lawmakers and taxpayers) argue it will create jobs, boost domestic energy production, and reduce the country's reliance on foreign oil." [1] North Slope Iñupiat communities have waited for nearly a generation for Willow to advance. We hope, at long last, our communities can begin to realize the benefits Willow will yield to sustain our people and region," said Nagruk Harcharek, president of the advocacy group 'Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat' when asked about the project. However, they conveniently ignore the damage it will cause to local Alaskan communities' air, water, and food sources. The sheer amount of emissions locals will be exposed to has the potential to lead to disproportionately high rates of chronic illnesses, including cancer and various respiratory ailments. [2] Most outlets decide to coin the project as an 'economic win,' but when the long-term effects on the climate are considered, it becomes glaringly obvious that this is not so.
Even after recent studies reporting that the Arctic is warming up at four to five times faster than the rest of the world, [3] projects, including oil drilling and thus increasing greenhouse emissions by tremendous amounts, continue to be executed. As a result, wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent, negatively affecting our biodiversity, and sheer shifts in the global temperature kill more people than any other weather-related attempt as it harms vital organs. [4] With an average of 658 people dying from heat stroke each year worldwide, the effects of climate change will undoubtedly increase exponentially if we continue on our current course, with the Willow Project, in this case, acting as a microcosmic example.
What can we do to help?
First and foremost, we need to become mindful of climate change and understand its effects. There are various petitions which are available; https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-willow-project-90614d72-92eb-414f-a9cd-c608cf247bbe/psf/promote_or_share
For people residing in the US:
The primary purpose of petitions is to rally supporters and donors around a concerning climate issue. Signing these petitions allows us to present public opinion to government officials. It shows our support for the betterment of the planet, and it is a way of displaying how serious we are about climate change.
We can also implement renewable energy sources in our everyday life, such as clean energy resources; solar, wind, and geothermal. We can lower our carbon footprint by biking or walking instead of using cars to go everywhere, electric vehicles, or carpooling. Reducing waste is also crucial and can be done by practicing recycling, composting, and using reusable bags and water bottles. The government should reject energy projects that don’t align with our climate commitments, and larger changes follow smaller-scale ones.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, the future of the Earth is in our hands. Our decisions over the past few years will determine the Earth's temperature entirely. We must act now and take responsibility for our actions. We must give back to the Earth that has provided so much and protect it for future generations.
References:
[1] Sign the Petition. (n.d.). Change.org. https://www.change.org/p/joseph-r-biden-biden-administration-and-conocophillips-say-no-to-the-willow-project
[2] Nilsen, E. (2023, March 14). The Willow Project has been approved. Here’s what to know about the controversial oil-drilling venture | CNN Politics. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/14/politics/willow-project-oil-alaska-explained-climate/index.html
[3] Arctic Warming Is Happening Faster Than Described, Analysis Shows. (2022, August 11). The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/11/climate/arctic-global-warming.html?searchResultPosition=2
[4] Lewis, T. (n.d.). Why Extreme Heat Is So Deadly. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-extreme-heat-is-so-deadly/