Willow Projects impact on the world by Kelly McCabe

Argument: Will the Willow Project impact the world as we know it

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:11:30 UTC

Yes; the project is very harmful and will impact our environment

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:12:56 UTC

No; the Willow Project is beneficial and will not make an impact

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:16:13 UTC

Changes made:

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:31:01 UTC

When Willow was first proposed it was shut down and adjusted. These adjustments made by the Joe Biden administration were put in place as ways to prevent the project from creating too much harm in the Arctic. They planned to plant more trees to cancel out some of the projects CO2 admissions, as well as shrank the size of the original drill pads by 40%. They reduced the drill sites from 5 to 3 and the oil company running the project gave up their rights to 68,000 other acres of drilling land they owned. Will this be followed through?

Biden's environmentally friendly campaign

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:37:51 UTC

Contrary to his opponent, Biden ran on an environmentally friendly stance claiming to reduce the emissions the USA produces by 50%, switch to clean energy, limit harmful oils, and end drilling on federal lands and waters.

Ecosystem destruction

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:42:18 UTC

The nearly perfect ecosystem of the arctic will be demolished and ripped apart in order to bring the materials and equitment to the drill sites. Roads and other infrastructure pieces will be placed in the arctic digging into the ice and entering the ocean. This will destroy the landscape as well as homes for animals, this could also allow a higher chance for oil to enter the oceans and water around the area.

Inflation Reduction act

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:51:26 UTC

This act was drafted and approved by the Biden administration. This was seen as a big step towards a better, cleaner environment due to its investment of around $370 billion dollars to reduce greenhouse gases and create clean energy. The Biden Administration also promised to cut climate pollution in half by 2030. The Willow Project will release 287 million tons of emissions by their 30 year period.

Warming Climate/ Rising sea levels

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 03:58:40 UTC

With the substantial amount of new drillings the Willow Project is starting, there will be more ice melted and more gases being released which warms the climate. Right now we are .4 degrees away from damaging the earth for good with our climates temperature being 1.1 degrees celsius. When the earth heats up and sea levels rise, countries and cities below sea level become endangered to flooding and becoming submerged underwater.

Job Opportunities; employing more Americans

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 04:06:47 UTC

Oil projects started by the Trump administration, such as an oil pipeline leading from Canada down to Nebraska was cancelled by Biden in order to stop the threats this pipeline proposed for health issues, and clean water. This decision put thousands out of a job. The start of the Willow Project will give back more jobs to those in need as well as potentially offer more job opportunities to Alaskan residents.

Angry young voters

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 04:18:19 UTC

Once reapproved, the Project gained lots of fame on social media, particularly among the younger generations. Using social media platforms to spread the news the White House was flooded with over 1 million emails and voicemails demanding the Willow Project be stopped. Aside from the contacts to the White House, petitions went around demanding action on stopping it, one of the largest reaching 5 million signatures.

Independent America

mccabek2_3 — 2023-12-13 04:23:59 UTC

Aside from providing more Americans with job opportunities the large amount of oil being produced will make America self sufficient and produce enough so that the risk that comes with relying on other countries oil lines will be eliminated. This will make the USA not have to rely on countries such as Russia and Iran who we do not have the best relationships with.