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Emily Cui

The Willow Project: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Photo Credit for Cover Image: Robert Valarcher


Climate change is a lot like that one fable of a raven who needs a drink but can’t reach the water in the pitcher. Like an 8th grader who understands displacement, it drops pebbles inside until the water has risen enough for it to take a sip. The allegory explains how small actions can build to something greater, and I think that cumulative effect is a perfect description of why the earth is what it is today. In fact, I’d even argue that thirst got the best of us and that the water we so desperately wanted, has begun to overflow…



On March 13, 2023, the Biden administration approved a major oil drilling project in Alaska known as the “Willow Project”. This would be the largest proposed project of its kind in the history of the United States, estimated to produce over 600 million barrels of oil over the next three decades. To put that into perspective, the average person in BC uses 494 litres of water per day and – I did the math – if we converted the oil into water, it would still take you more than 500,000 years to use it all up. Assuming you always lived to the ripe old age of 90, it would still take you more than 5,800 lifetimes.


“Great, so the USA did something absolutely stupid again and destroyed some more animal habitats in the process. History sure likes to repeat itself. Why should I even care? It’s not going to affect me.”


But that’s where you’re wrong, dear reader! The Willow Project may be another stupid move by greedy politicians, but its stupidity will affect us all. And while it may be a ticking time bomb, it highlights the crucial need to step away from fossil fuels and invest into green alternatives. So let’s talk a bit more about this dilemma, what it really looks like, and what we can do now.



The obvious complaint is its potential ramifications for the environment. Social media has already become dominated with #StopWillow hashtags, Indigenous groups have begun to sue the federal government, and climate doomism looms ever so closer over the horizon. Especially considering Biden’s billion dollar history of significant pro-environmental efforts, it came to many as a surprise that he would go back on his promise to not drill on federal land. To do so would not only alienate those of the political left, but change the fate of all future generations to come (though I suppose he won’t be alive to see it happen).


Most of Alaska is built on permafrost (frozen soil). When it melts (which drilling speeds up), it releases greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that accelerate global warming. It also opens a whole Pandora’s box of ancient bacteria and viruses that could infect humans and animals. Not only would the project destroy animal habitats, it would also drive them away from a local Indigenous community only 36 miles from the project that depends on them to survive. The air would be polluted and the water would be undrinkable (hey, that sounds like a familiar problem. If you’re interested in helping Indigenous groups, consider donating to NGOs like this one or this one). Caribou? Gone. Salmon? Poisoned. Polar bears? I’m afraid they may not be able to bear through this one. The Willow project may not be green, but it sure is a greenlight towards killing us a little bit faster.


And while it is a definite mistake to blindly ignore the impending doom of climate change, it would be almost equally ignorant to dismiss the real reasons for why many do support the Willow Project. I’m all for understanding both sides, and I think there are some valid (though refutable) arguments as to why the project should go through, so let’s take a look!


An interesting point is that the Biden administration had no choice but to let the policy go through. The context: the project had been originally approved by the Trump administration (Ah. That explains a lot.) and because Conoco (the energy company) already had existing leases in the Alaskan area, there was no legal way for them to reject the project without steep fines.


But that’s not the real argument that lies behind supporting the Willow Project.


Oil is one of the most lucrative industries in the world — and this particular endeavour is predicted to create 2,500 jobs during its construction, 300 long-term jobs, and billions of dollars in tax revenue. Because such money could go into improving infrastructure and services for local communities in the region, there has been widespread political support in Alaska from bipartisan politicians. It could also bring down ever increasing gas prices. Additionally, the Biden administration promised to minimise environmental damage, though such promises have been vague. And while it is easy to argue that we ought to prioritise the trees and the bees, we type that sitting in the comfort of our own homes. For the people of Alaska – living in an expensive state literally detached from the rest of the country – it could mean a world’s difference.


What is for certain though is that, despite millions signing petitions in protest, the plan will be going forward.



So, what now?


Most of us aren’t huge politicians (if you are one, and you happen to be reading this, well… maybe you should be a bit concerned with how you’re spending your time). Most of us don’t have the ability to change the world. Heck, most of us probably haven’t even been to Alaska. But there are little ways to help: recycling, turning off the lights, walking when possible, composting food, shopping sustainably. You can reach out to your local representative and sign petitions, you can attend protests and educate others. In the grand scheme of things, they’re only marginal changes and probably won’t stop world leaders from stuffing cash into their pockets.


But if there’s anything I’ve learned from thirsty ravens with an abundance of stones, it's that the smallest things can make the greatest difference.








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