Image by Robson Machado from Pixabay
By: Tess Chlebek
How many times have you heard the phrase there is no planet B?
How many times have you heard polar bears are dying?
How many times have you heard that there is plastic in the ocean?
How many times? How many times?? How Many times???
Most people have heard about the issues in our world. They have listened to complaints from environmentalists. People have started recycling and taking public transport; however, I am sorry to inform after the confirmation of the Willow Project, it’s clear the effort has been ineffective. The Willow Project will allow oil drilling in some of the last pristine areas of the US, opening nearly 629 million barrels of oil, and it will produce millions of metric tons of CO2. The project is estimated to cost 8 billion dollars and use 23 million acres of land. Before you say that you had no contribution to this project, let me explain.
There is a student who has seen the social media 10-sec clips of the woman shouting through the screen to stop using plastic products to save turtles. A student who has seen the earth’s amazing creatures and all it offers. A student who has watched the protests online and witnessed what they are fighting for.
I am that student and I have not done enough. I thought for the longest time that my paper straws were sufficient to make a change. I felt that my recycling would be my small part. In truth, if people do not advocate, my small paper straw will not save a turtle. My paper straw may or may not be turned into a piece of cardboard because it will probably disintegrate into my drink before I’m even done with it. Or, that paper straw may end up in a landfill to be disposed of, only increasing the 26% of paper which accounts for our waste. (“The World Counts”) Right now, in our world, a tree is worth more dead than alive, just like all animals, except for maybe humans.
All lawmakers in Alaska, Joe Biden, his supervisors, and Alaska Native Groups on the North Slopes have all approved the project. Alaska urged Biden to approve the project because it can bring many economic benefits; improving the healthcare and education for the villages.
I do not ignore the benefits this project has for the economy; however, I do not believe they outweigh the destruction it will have on the environment. As an outsider, I do not understand how the Alaskans are willing to harm their nature.
Look at the economic structure of Alaska today. Nearly 85% of Alaska’s budget is funded by the 1,800 oil wells. The tourism industry is the second largest employer. (“Economy, Alaska Kids’ Corner, State of Alaska”) The public state schools in Alaska are some of the finest ranked in the nation and districts. The health care was rated 30th on the State Health System Performance, and the average household income is $79.5K. In comparison, Germany earns $23-$30K, a 90% decrease. (“Alaska Commonwealth Fund”)
It is clear to me that Alaska has no urgency to support its economy. Furthermore, A portion of the profit is not being donated to countries that need economic aid such as Ethiopia or Ukraine, and it’s upsetting for those who are living to not help those who are barely surviving. So why do they continue with this project? Why do they continue to hurt the ecosystem?
Furthermore, find it hypocritical that Biden stated at his candidate speech on CNN: “No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period. Ends.” This was supposedly going to be his contribution to stop climate change, however by signing this proposal he doesn’t follow his statement. The statement that likely prompted many votes for the elections. Biden betrayed the climate change community, who believed he would help them. Imagine what such a large figure like Biden could do to help climate change, rather than abusing that power by destroying our climate additionally.
One of the best methods of action is advocating. Spread the word about this article or any which supports the end of the Willow Project. The mindset that there’s others who are doing it is not going to change our society. Educating others on the issues with the economy, politics and environment will result in the change of influencers. The more people who participate, the more control we have over those who are committing wrongs. Continuing or starting to recycle is still important, using paper straws is still important, but now we must be stronger, push, for the safety of our world.
Already there has been 3 million signatures on the Change.org petition, but it will probably take many more to change the minds of the leading supporters to end the project. Thank you to those who are willing to contribute.
Bibliography
Nilsen, Ella. “Environmental Groups File Two Lawsuits Hoping to Stop the Willow Project, Citing Climate Impacts.” CNN, CNN, 15 Mar. 2023, edition.cnn.com/2023/03/15/politics/willow-project-alaska-lawsuits-climate/index.html. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
“Petition Unterschreiben.” Change.org, 2021, www.change.org/p/joseph-r-biden-biden-administration-and-conocophillips-say-no-to-the-willow-project. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
rutz. “Biden Promises “No More Drilling” under His Presidency.” Washington Free Beacon, Washington Free Beacon, 16 Mar. 2020, freebeacon.com/elections/biden-promises-no-more-drilling-under-his-presidency/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
“Your Guide to Minimum Wage and Average Salaries in Germany (2022–2023).” HousingAnywhere, 2022, housinganywhere.com/Germany/average-salaries-in-germany-2021. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
“Alaska.” Commonwealthfund.org, 2022, www.commonwealthfund.org/datacenter/alaska#:~:text=%2330%20in%20our%202022%20State,Alaska%20ranked%20%2330%20this%20year. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
“Economy, Alaska Kids’ Corner, State of Alaska.” Alaska.gov, 2015, alaska.gov/kids/learn/economy.htm#:~:text=The%20oil%20and%20gas%20industry,dependent%20upon%20world%20oil%20prices. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.
Image Bibliography
Nives. “The Political Logic of Willow Project’s Approval.” Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023, www.forbes.com/sites/prakashdolsak/2023/03/24/the-political-logic-of-willow-projects-approval/?sh=3df7e29a52dc. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.