Paige Dalto ’24, staff writer
On March 13, 2023, the Biden Administration approved the Willow Project, the largest proposed oil development project on public land. Although the oil will take years to reach the market, this project will emit more climate pollution annually than more than 99.7% of all single-point sources in the country.
ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project will drill on Alaska’s North Slope in the National Petroleum Reserve which holds up to 600 million barrels of oil. Despite drilling being blocked in parts of Alaska, the Willow Project will still produce nearly 180,000 barrels of oil daily, drastically impacting the climate crisis.
According to CNN, the Willow Project would produce enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution per year – the equivalent of an additional two million cars being put on the road.
President Biden has stated that there is no greater challenge facing our country and our world than climate change, yet the approval of this project breaks his 2020 campaign promise to end new oil and gas drilling on public lands. Climate advocates are outraged by the approval of this drilling project as it poses a large threat to the climate and will contribute significantly to emissions.
The Biden Administration has received over one million letters against the project, and Change.org’s “Stop the Willow Project” petition has over five million signatures.
Following the approval of the project and the outrage surrounding it, many questions have come to light regarding what can be done on an individual level to limit carbon emissions.
There are many ways to limit carbon emissions on an individual level and not just by buying an electric car. First and foremost, reach out to your local and federal government to urge climate action in your community. At home, gradually shift to energy-efficient appliances as opposed to oil or gas-based products, walk, bike, carpool or take public transport to reduce greenhouse emissions and eat more fruits, vegetables and plant-based foods to reduce meat and dairy consumption.
Although the Willow Project has been approved, climate advocates and organizations like EarthJustice have already started laying out their legal rationale to oppose this drilling. As drilling can only occur during Alaska’s winter months, environmental groups have more time to stop or delay the project.
As students, educators, creators, writers and everything in between, it is crucial to ensure that our outrage is voiced. Do your part: contact your local government and reduce your carbon footprint.