Monday March 6th, was the earliest day President Biden and Secretary Haaland could announce a decision on the proposed Willow project. Every day beyond the 6th is a success in the effort to stop this project and makes Conoco’s plans more difficult to accomplish. What’s in their way? You! In the last update I shared we had seen over two million comments made calling for Willow to be rejected, 5 days later I’m excited to share that we are now at OVER FIVE MILLION. With a decision possibly coming any day, we can’t leave anything on the table. 

Your engagement has helped this issue gain national recognition. We MUST keep up the pressure. And with that we wanted to share the opportunities we have identified that can help. Want to learn more about the amazing movement and engagement? check out these recent articles in the Washington Post and Newsweek. Here’s what Teen Vogue covered “Regardless of whatever financial incentive the project may hold, multiple Alaska Natives individuals, groups and politicians have expressed concern that Willow would worsen adverse environmental impacts already disproportionately burdening those living in the Arctic. Siqiniq Maupin, executive director of Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic, told Atmos’s Yessenia Funes, “I’m very afraid that my kids are going to grow up not just in a world that doesn’t have their traditional medicine that we’ve been eating for thousands and thousands of years, but that they won’t even have a safe place to be that isn’t overheating.”

Friday March 3, community leaders from Alaska were in Washington D.C. in front of the White House to bring the message of NO WILLOW straight to the President. You can do the same by watching and sharing the livestream of the event.

Take the message straight to @POTUS and join others commenting #StopWillow on any posts from @POTUS @SecHaaland and the @WhiteHouse.

SEND AN EMAIL to DOI TODAY (if the inbox is full, THANK YOU, you can tag @POTUS & @SecHaaland and share the message on social!)
To: feedback@ios.doi.gov

Sample Email Message: 
The Willow Oil Project is in direct conflict with to the Administration's climate and environmental commitments. Americans deserve a smarter, more sustainable energy plan that doesn’t threaten the health of Alaska Native communities or compromise future generations for the sake of profits. It’s not too late to say NO to Willow - for current and future Americans, and for the wellbeing of the planet. I strongly urge you to direct the Department of the Interior to deny ConocoPhillips' Willow Oil Project by selecting the "No Action Alternative."  

Thank you! 
Sonia

Learn more about Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic (SILA) and the Willow Project.

Image credit: Survival Media Agency