The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a vast 19.6 million acres of untouched wilderness. Migrating caribou, polar bears, arctic foxes, and countless other species call this pristine ecosystem home. Under the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, however, lies an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil.
For decades now, there has been debate on whether to drill this ecosystem for oil. Many people, including environmentalists and the indigenous peoples of Alaska, oppose any drilling within the ANWR. However, recently there has been a push by the Trump Administration to drill within the coastal plains of this ecosystem. After overturning decades of environmental protection, the Trump Administration hopes for drill leases by the end of 2020. Not only will drilling ruin the picturesque wilderness, but the billions of barrels of oil will aid to the production of greenhouse gases, and thus, climate change. The drilling within the ANWR cannot occur, and we must use our voices to protect this ecosystem.
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