By: KAITLYN PADILLA
Staff Writer
In case you haven’t heard, the Biden administration is currently deciding if they should allow the Willow Project to happen. You’re probably wondering what the Willow Project is. The Willow Project is basically a plan to sell most of Northern Alaska for oil drilling. There are so many negative outcomes that will be put at risk if this project is approved. About 180,000 barrels of oil a day would be produced, which is about 1.5% of US oil production. The project would generate enough oil to release 9.2 metric tons of planet-warming carbon pollution a year; this is equal to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to roads. Climate change is nearly irreversible at this point so the project would be adding so much extra damage. Not to mention the ecosystems that would suffer: Tons of ocean life, arctic wildlife, and even Alaska Natives that still live out there. We are risking the loss of polar bears, penguins, and American Pikas (All of these species are already endangered). The project might provide us with more energy, but it’s not worth the risk of so much wildlife, pollution, and adding to climate change.
