Impacts Of The Willow Project
Despite being praised as a ray of hope for a sustainable future, the Willow Project may be hiding unintended and harmful implications. This project carries the potential for undesired consequences that will inevitably bring harm to this planet. It is important to objectively assess any potential drawbacks that might result from this extensive project.
These are a few of the endangered species that WILL be going extinct if the Willow Project continues.
Steller’s Eiders Sea Ducks
Bowhead Whales
Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears
Willow, and an ecosystem at risk.
The National Petrol Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) is a piece of land on the Alaskan North Slopes owned by the United States federal government. It was set aside in 1923 as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy. But today, it is open for oil and gas exploration and development. The land used in the Willow Project contains significant areas for wildlife habitats, including calving grounds for animals, nesting areas for birds, and resources for local wildlife well-fare. The Biden Administration had promised to cut fossil-fuel usage and zero carbon emissions economy when he took office. With the Willow Project, however, the administration's hands were tied as ConocoPhillips has held leases to the prospective drilling site for more than two decades. If this project continues onward, it will unleash a wave of destruction and devastation upon the fragile and precious wildlife within the NPR-A.
Land Use
The passing of the Willow Project entails demanding the change in land use, such as clearing land for oil drilling and deforestation, and is expected to emit pollution comparable to that of 76 coal-fired power stations. Numerous species, especially those accustomed to the area, such as: polar bears, tens of thousands of migratory caribou, and waterfowl, may be endangered as a result of these changes to the landscape and may face extinction. The project's development would result in a decline in biodiversity and the eradication of natural plants, which would have an effect on sensitive tundra species. A hazardous danger to animals like polar bears and arctic foxes is posed by the possibility of oil spills, and the development is also likely to cause noise pollution. Additionally, the Arctic will face even more difficulties as a result of the increased melting of snow brought on by project operations, which may further contribute to regional warming trends.
Greenhouse Gases and the Atmosphere
The Willow Project will increase greenhouse gas emissions by an astounding 278 to 287 million metric tons of pollutants. The project will increase the amount of methane and carbon dioxide, two of the most significant contributors to global warming, entering the atmosphere and environment. Methane is a big contributor to global warming even though it is less prevalent than CO2 and has a three times greater capacity to trap heat. Furthermore, too much methane may become poisonous and endanger both the environment and human health. The continuing increase in Earth's temperature, which has reached 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial levels, can result in severe effects such as rising sea levels, frequent and intense heatwaves, and widespread damage.