Willow Project

LAWSUITS OVER WILLOW PROJECT Both Indigenous groups and environmentalists have sued the administrations due to the Willow Project approval. This consists of gas and oil drilling. It is a project that would cost roughly 8 billion dollars. Three drilling areas would be opened located by the wilderness. In the article "Environmental and Indigenous groups sue over Willow Oil-Drilling Project", written by Niina H Farah; she explains how this decision can impact the climate, wildlife, and hunting. Polar bears habitat will be impacted greatly, and substinance hunting which is important to indigenous groups; will be affected. According to the article, over 600 million barrels of oil would be produced in a lifetime with this new project. It would also be beneficial to Alaska's economy. However, the project would break several federal statutes causing lawsuits to be filed against the Willow Project. There has been no response from Biden's administration regarding the harms of oil drilling against polar bears, nature, and communities like indigenous groups.

Willow Project In Alaska IN RELATION TO THE AMAZON Oil drilling has become a big problem around the world. The Amazon in Ecuador is an example of what might happen if the Willow Project is started. Health of indigenous groups will be critical. In class we discussed the many things it impacts. This can be from roads being built to access the oil thus destroying trees and wildlife,rivers or waterways polluted with oil, air pollution,etc. This does not only apply to the Amazon but also to other oil drillings like the Willow Project. Much of our everyday items come from oil. We have discussed the use of oil in cars for transportation, consumer goods, house heating, health care products, and so much more. However we are drilling oil and causing harm to many more important things. The picture below is an example of what can be seen if the oil drilling continues in Alaska, similarily to Ecuador.

Amazon, Ecuador MY THOUGHTS A common thing we see with oil drilling is how often it affects indigenous groups. They are the most harmed and fight hard for things like oil drilling to not happen, however we do not listen. On social media there have been multiple petitions made against the Willow Project, however it seems that goals have increased, making it harder for a petition to be completed. In a way I am glad that so many people are listening and teaching others about what is going on. On the other hand, it is deeply upsetting how higher ups do not pay attention. How much more will we continue to harm indigenous communities? Wildlife? Or just nature in general? This is not fair.

Oil Drilling In Alaska