Project 3: The Willow Project Argument Map by Jessica Buckley https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2 en-us 2023-04-06 13:27:03 UTC 2025-12-10 12:08:24 UTC hello@padlet.com Background Information jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546272845 Fossil fuels, which include oil and natural gas, are one of the leading contributors to global warming. When burned, the fossil fuels release a copious amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The release of carbon dioxide increases the change in climate patterns, known as climate change. Through climate change, we have seen an increase in temperature in our environment known as global warming. The effects of global warming include higher temperatures, frequent extreme weather events, and ice melting. This climate change event is on the edge of becoming irreversible, therefore people are urged to take action as soon as possible. In attempts to solve this problem, the Trump Administration had introduced the Willow Project in 2020, fueled by ConocoPhillips, which is an oil drilling project that is supposed to produce fossil fuels in a cleaner way than previously. "ConocoPhillips is a Houston-based energy company that has been exploring and drilling for oil in Alaska for years." The article explains that this company has been looking to an oil drilling project for years, and it was finally in talks with the Trump Administration. Trump’s proposition was shut down, however President Joe Biden reopened the idea, ultimately leading to the Willow Project being approved in March of 2023. This is a tricky situation for the Biden Administration considering, "Biden vowed to end new oil and gas drilling on public lands and waters – which he initially carried out as part of an early executive order." The article explains how Biden has gone against his original word during his advocacy for presidency. There are many for and against this project, but with the race to reverse global warming, this may be the last effort.]]> 2023-04-06 13:28:17 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546272845 Key Terms: jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546277868 Climate Change: a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
Global Warming: a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.
Fossil Fuels: a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Oil Drilling: a process in which tubing is established through the Earth’s surface in order to reach the fossil fuels then deposit them into the environment.
The Willow Project: a massive oil drilling project, set to take place in Alaska, that will ideally produce fossil fuels in a cleaner way than normal. ]]> 2023-04-06 13:33:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546277868 Why is this a problem? jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546280101 The Willow Project is set to release a copious amount of oil, “enough oil to release 9.2 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon pollution a year.” ]]> 2023-04-06 13:35:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546280101 Overarching Argument jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546282693 The release of oil into the atmosphere is unable to reverse climate change since there is constant pollution being put into the environment.]]> 2023-04-06 13:38:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546282693 Where this is happening jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546560581 The Willow Project is set to take place in Alaska, specifically an area already suffering the effects of global warming such as ice melting and costal erosion. This area is owned by the government called the National Petroleum Reserve. The development of the Willow Project is set to take up over 500 acres of land in Alaska.]]> 2023-04-06 18:54:16 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546560581 People's Reactions jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546562110 The people living in Alaska are rather concerned with the project specifically, "about the health and environmental impacts of a major oil development." ]]> 2023-04-06 18:56:29 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546562110 Further Concerns jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546563671 People who are aware of the Willow Project are rather concerned with the animals that call Alaska home such as polar bears since their air will be polluted with the new oils and gases coming from the Willow Project. Looking further, this could effect the food chain.]]> 2023-04-06 18:58:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546563671 The reason people are surprised by the Biden Administration moving forward with the Willow Project is because during his campaign, he was opposed to this project. jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546565508 2023-04-06 19:01:15 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546565508 Counter: This project can create a good amount of jobs for building it as well as maintaining it once built. jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546567811 2023-04-06 19:04:22 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546567811 Counter: Having an oil supply located in the United States would mean less dependence on foreign oil, which we have seen in the past has not been all that reliable. jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546576383 2023-04-06 19:18:03 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546576383 Counter: The location being used could create enough revenue to fund other things such as education or employment. jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546576755 2023-04-06 19:18:39 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546576755 TikTok has been used to spread awareness and activism. Some people have even gone the way to signing a petition to reverse Biden's decision on going through with the Willow Project. jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546577636 2023-04-06 19:20:01 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546577636 Plan for Future Research jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546581316 2023-04-06 19:25:55 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546581316 Reflection jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546583178 So far, my research has provided copious amounts of facts about the Willow Project. I have been able to find the pros and cons as well as why people choose to support or not support it. To further continue my research, I would like to find expert opinions on the Willow Project. Finding an expert opinion will allow enough validity to believe that their ideas and opinions are a strong contender for or against this project. Another piece of information I would like to acquire in my further research is the likeliness that the Willow Project is approved. A lot of people have voiced concerns as well as taken a stand online, so I would like to find out how likely it is that the Willow Project withstands the backlash. Finally, in my research I would like to find out what exactly made Joe Biden feel as though the Willow Project was necessary. It is known that he is going against his campaign by supporting the Willow Project, so I would like to know exactly why he is deciding to follow through with it.]]> 2023-04-06 19:28:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546583178 Sub-Questions jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546583678 - If enough people voice their concerns and are against the Willow Project, will the Biden Administration take their opposition into consideration or continue without a thought?
- Why did Joe Biden decide to go ahead with the Willow Project after opposing it during his campaign?
- Is there a safer alternative to finding a way around global warming other than the Willow Project?]]> 2023-04-06 19:29:37 UTC https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546583678 Sources to Explore jrb401 https://padlet.com/jrb401/d4t6fkwtcz5c2mk2/wish/2546601249 Source 1: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/why-willow-project-bad-idea
Turrentine, J. (2023, March 30). Why the Willow Project Is a Bad Idea. NRDC. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/why-willow-project-bad-idea
Source 2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daneberhart/2023/03/01/alaska-project-supports-president-bidens-energy-goals/?sh=3e29bc7723f7
Eberhart, D. (2023, March 1). Alaska Project Supports President Biden’s Energy Goals. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/daneberhart/2023/03/01/alaska-project-supports-president-bidens-energy-goals/?sh=3e29bc7723f7
Source 3:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/03/13/biden-administration-approves-controversial-alaska-oil-drilling-project-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?sh=51f6c856403d
Durkee, A. (2023, March 13). Biden Approves Controversial Alaska Oil Drilling Project—Here’s What You Need To Know. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from

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