In a last-ditch effort to expand drilling opportunities in the country, former President Donald Trump sped up the process of leasing and selling land in the protected Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge. This land is being sold with the purpose of gas and natural resource exploration. This hotly–contested topic has been on Donald Trump’s docket since 2017 in which he pushed forward with a bill to allow the sale of the land that has been protected for decades. The importance of the Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge is insurmountable, especially in the face of the looming effects of climate change on the planet. To understand the importance of the land that is being so fiercely fought over I want to first discuss why it is so important. In 1960, Public Land Order 2214 created the refuge, which has been continuously added to, especially in a large expansion order in 1980. The refuge itself protects around 19.64 million acres of land, widely considered to be the largest stretch of wilderness left in the United States. According to the National Resources Defense Council or NRDC, this is an essential piece of land protecting the habitats of endangered polar bears, white fox, caribou, and the migration patterns of birds from every state in the country and six continents in the world.  

The Wilderness Society also points out that it is sacred ground to indigenous tribes such as the Gwich’in and Iñupiat people. The land stretches over arctic tundra and boreal forests, with all three species of North American bear found within the refuge’s borders. In the face of such an impending problem in climate change, the importance of a place like this should not be understated. In fact, over 270 species of animals call this place home, and oil and industrial production in this area could severely disrupt the entire ecosystem. The industrial process would attract development, roads, airplanes, noise pollution, and the destruction of one of the last habitats that Polar Bears depend on. It may seem obvious why this would be such a bad idea, but members of the Republican Party have been supporters of this move. It is estimated that the refuge contains over a billion barrels of oil that could be extracted for use.  

According to The New York Times a seismic survey of the refuge was not done in the time constrained through the air or by airplane. The point of the surveys was to determine whether any of the lots available have any natural resources. The fact is that there has not been a seismic survey of the entire refuge since the 1980s, making it hard for companies to bid on plots of land if they do not know there will be a profit. The failure to meet the deadline on the survey has halted any more sales at the moment, although there were a few sales in Trump’s last days in office. It is unstable then for any new buyers who are wary of the land that is for sale as there is no real way to tell what lies beneath. This then begs the question of if there will be any interest for these lots. In a New York Times article, former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is quoted saying this: “I think a lot of people will bid for leases without seismic data.” This claim seems to be a way to prop up Donald Trump’s policies, although it is important to know that some relevant Republican Alaskans have gotten behind this project. Senator Dan Sullivan is quoted saying that, “Thousands of Alaskans are employed in our oil industry, and their livelihoods depend on the good-paying jobs created by our state’s reserves.” He would then finish the remark by stating, “Today, we are one step closer to securing a bright future for these Alaskans and their families.” It can be seen here that the Republicans in favor of this move are trying to make it about job production rather than the environmental impacts.  

On Trump’s last day in office, his administration released leases to some of the land in the once protected refuge. While this is disappointing, it is important to note that there is hope. On President Joseph R. Biden’s first day in office, he signed an order halting all of the lease sales so that they can be reviewed further. President Biden has also been known to call for the permanent protection of the refuge by officially designating it wilderness. In an article by The Philadelphia Inquirer, we see Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick from Bucks Country move forward with cosponsoring a bill that would protect the refuge forever. He is quoted saying, “Our Arctic Refuge is a national treasure, and it is imperative for us to protect it…I am glad to once again co-lead The Arctic Refuge Protection Act this Congress because taking care of our environment should not be a political issue.” Hopes of a bipartisan bill passing through Congress has raised hopes for the future.  

This debate will not go away for a long time, as we discuss how to move forward into a more sustainable society, both economically and environmentally. The Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge is one of the last large swaths of land untouched by human activity. It is important for us to protect it from industrialization and use it as a beacon of hope moving forward. Joe Biden and his administration have promised drastic environmental protections and laws to move us in the right direction. While the executive orders that he has passed have been a step in the right direction, it is important to remember that the only permanent way to move forward is through Congress. I see a hopeful and bright future for the Refuge, but Joe Biden cannot do it alone. Congress and activist groups must step forward in pressuring the representatives and senators into making a change. The effects of climate change are now inevitable in a world too long taken advantage of, but the effects can be lessened, and humans can work with the planet towards a better future. The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is one large piece in a puzzle that is just being put together now, and much too slowly.  

“Facts and Features – Arctic – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, www.fws.gov/refuge/arctic/facts_and_features.html.  

Fountain, Henry. “Seismic Survey of Alaskan Arctic Refuge Won’t Move Forward.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/climate/arctic-refuge-seismic-survey.html.  

“Oil Drilling: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.” The Wilderness Society, www.wilderness.org/wild-places/alaska/oil-drilling-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge.  

Plumer, Brad, and Henry Fountain. “Trump Administration Finalizes Plan to Open Arctic Refuge to Drilling.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Aug. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/climate/alaska-oil-drilling-anwr.html.  

“Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.” NRDC, 20 Jan. 2021, www.nrdc.org/protect-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge.  

Tamari, Frank Kummer and Jonathan. “Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County Sponsors Bill to Protect Arctic National Refuge, Which Trump Sought to Open for Drilling.” Https://Www.inquirer.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 5 Feb. 2021, www.inquirer.com/science/climate/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-brian-fitzpatrick-congress-20210204.html.