We’re fucked: The Willow Project
Nearly a month ago, the Biden administration approved the Willow Project – an oil drilling operation to commence in Alaska across three drill pads[1]. The Willow Project is set to ultimately produce nearly 300 million metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution– comparable 76 coal-fired power plants.[2] I reiterate: we’re fucked. According to The Nature Conservancy, we must reach a global net zero carbon emissions by 2050 to avoid the direst impacts of climate change[3]. With the enactment of the Willow Project, this is an impossible target.
I can sit here and tell you that we must unify to counteract climate change. That if we denounce single-use plastics, shop second-hand and go vegan, climate change will inevitably be stopped in its tracks. I am, however, of the view that incentives for individual action against climate change are, quite frankly, bullshit. Of course, I am a proponent of sustainable living. I will state, for the record, that I am drinking out of my metal bottle and most of my outfit today is second-hand. However, by putting the onus on the individual – the real environmental criminals are liberated from any condemnation.
So, who should bear the responsibility of enacting environmental action. Some would argue that Biden is at fault for approving the project. However, the project was originally passed by the Trump administration – and Biden campaigned to have the original five drill pads reduced to be three. Biden holds that his hands were tied, as the project was inherited from the Trump administration and he would have faced legal repercussions had he fully vetoed the project[4]. However, as Biden is deemed as the first ever ‘climate president’, his hasty defeat against the Willow Project seems to have a deeper underlying purpose. The Willow Project will bring more affordable energy to the US, thus increasing Biden’s approval ratings within the demographic that this most positively affects. Prior to the 2024 election, Biden has marked himself as moving towards a more centrist position. This may be just what he needs to secure re-election.
Blame should also be placed on ConocoPhilips’, the oil producer at the forefront of the Willow Project. An aspect of the project that struck me as particularly disturbing is the commodification of indigenous land. Concerns have been raised surrounding the effect of the project on local species – such as polar bears and caribou[5]. Additionally, activist group SILA (Sovereign Iñupiat Living Arctic) has noted the Willow Project as a ‘clear case of environmental racism’ in which Iñupiaq peoples were merely ‘test subjects’ for a capitalist venture[6]. This highlights a deeply entrenched form of violence against indigenous communities in the United States – a historical racism which is often overlooked. The extortion of indigenous land in the US has consistently led to communities being thwarted into poverty – whilst elites are able to capitalise off land they hold no authority over.
The Willow Project marks a complex and multifaceted issue in both US and global politics. Both in the US and globally, we are in dire need for affordable energy. However, the project will undoubtably contribute to the destruction of the planet. Thus, the Willow Project marks the direst consequences of capitalism. Our means of survival will lead to our ultimate destruction. We’re fucked.
I am dubious as to whether there will be any impact as a consequence to this petition, however I have linked it below. Signing will take two minutes and can’t do any harm. If you need any more motivation to sign, here’s a cute polar bear.
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-willow-project-90614d72-92eb-414f-a9cd-c608cf247bbe
[1] Nilsen, E. (2023) The willow project has been approved. here's what to know about the controversial oil-drilling venture | CNN politics, CNN. Cable News Network. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/14/politics/willow-project-oil-alaska-explained-climate/index.html
[2] What is the willow project? ConocoPhillips' disastrous plan to drill in the Western Arctic (2022) Evergreen Action. Available at: https://www.evergreenaction.com/blog/what-is-the-willow-project-conocophillips-disastrous-plan-to-drill-in-the-western-arctic#:~:text=Over%20the%20next%2030%20years,coal%20plants%20across%20the%20country.
[3] Climate change: Frequently asked questions (2018) The Nature Conservancy. Available at: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/climate-change-frequently-asked-questions/#:~:text=To%20do%20that%2C%20we%20must,together%2C%20to%20reach%20the%20goal.
[4] Elbeshbishi, S. (2023) Biden approves Willow Project. what to know about the move to allow oil drilling in Alaska, USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network. Available at: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/15/biden-approved-willow-project-explained/11478463002/
[5] The Associated Press and Becky Bohrer (2023) Alaska oil plan opponents lose 1st fight over willow project, https://www.alaskasnewssource.com. Available at: https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/04/03/judge-alaska-oil-project-can-proceed-lawsuits-play-out/
[6] Western Arctic (no date) Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic. Available at: https://www.silainuat.org/westernarctic