ConocoPhillips, Alaska’s largest oil producer and manufacturer, started the Willow Project. It is a project that started decades ago to oil drill into the northern slope of Alaska, less than 30 miles from the Arctic Ocean. According to the Washington Post, area that has been mapped out for the upcoming project is said to hold 600 million barrels of oil, or in other words 25,200 gallons of oil, meaning they will be digging deep into parts of Alaska and the ocean to find natural resources like oil or gas, releasing harmful pollutants into the air. This much oil over a timespan of only 30 years is going to release 277 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That is like adding two million cars to the roads. On a daily basis, human beings release about 2.3 pounds of CO2, the Willow Project will release about 22 peoples worth (50.5 pounds a day) allowing this project to be a big contributor to the CO2 crisis that is global warming.

On March 13, the Biden Administration passed this project into law. This project will be taking place over 4,000 miles from where the controversy all started in Washington DC where it has now become a national concern to some. Young activists online started a petition called “Protect the Arctic” with over six million signatures and a mission to help prevent this law from passing. A new petition has recently been started on the same website to overturn the new law and save the Arctic. Protesters, lobbyists and social activists are all working together to stop this project.

ConocoPhillips company said that this project will cost them anywhere between $8-$10 million to complete, and with an income between $8-$17 million.

According to the Biden Administration, the Willow Project fits within their environmental priorities, enhancing energy sources and security, while also providing benefits to native Alaskan communities.