The Trump Administration  is currently planning to auction off sections of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, on January 6th of 2021, for oil drilling this will overturn 6 decades of protection! The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an area where species like polar bears, and migrating caribou can go to refuge from hunters, and other possible threats.  Without the refuge, many of these animals can be in danger, the drilling will not only have an impact on their lifestyle, but will have a huge impact on the environment and possibly lead species to extinction.

President Trump has cast an increase in Arctic drilling to push and expand domestic fossil fuel production on federal lands, thinking it will secure America’s “energy dominance”. Republicans have eyed the refuge as a source of oil and gas since the Reagan administration recommended to drill in 1987. Efforts to open it up, were halted by democratic lawmakers until 2017, then the G.O.P controlled both houses of Congress, to pass a bill authorizing lease sails. The president elect Joe Biden, who is taking place in office on January 20, 2021 has called for permanent protection of the refuge. Even if it were to win the White House it would be difficult for his administration to overturn existing least rights that have been auctioned to energy companies that Donald Trump is going to create.

Our job is to protect the wildlife refuge, to avoid drastic global warming, stopping the harm of wildlife including polar bears who struggle already from climate change.  “There’s no good time to open up America’s largest wildlife refuge to drilling and fracking, but it’s absolutely bonkers to endanger this beautiful place during a worldwide oil glut.” Said Kristen Monserrat, a senior attorney with the Center for biological diversity, an environmental group. 

We will continue to fight this at every turn, our job is to save the wildlife and environment from possible threats like this.