For some, it has been a controversial approval and for some it has been what the world needed.
March 13th goes down in history, no doubt. On that day, current US President Joe Biden officially approved one of the most significant oil developments on federal land – the Willow Project. With this authorisation, the US will begin drilling for oil on Alaska’s North Slope, with the potential to generate more than 600 million barrels of oil over the span of years. A project, climate activists are vehemently opposed to.
At first glance, the name does not seem to hold anything negative – on the contrary. ‘Willow’ has a rather sweet and innocent connotation to it. The name, however, appears misleading because behind it there is nothing but negativity.
How it possibly could have gotten so far? Let’s go back in time – more specifically the United States, circa 2019. When Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was elected the 46th president of the United States, the democrats were still happy and hopeful. His electoral premises were in favour of his voters and for a long time, he seemed like he would keep his promises throughout his time in office.
Fast forward four years, and this officially and drastically changes on the 13th of March. With the conclusive authorization of the major oil-drilling project in Alaska, Biden has broken the promise that he gave at the beginning of his presidency. According to his electoral promise, Joe pledges:” No more drilling on federal lands, period.”
Now, facing strong opposition from environmental activists, people have taken their objections to TikTok. The ‘Biden Administration and ConocoPhillips: SAY NO TO THE WILLOW PROJECT!” A petition, that had reached over two million signatures and a million letters sent to President Joe Biden urging him o reject the project – unsuccessful.
In this week’s episode of ‘In Depth’, we are taking a closer look at the Willow Project and what it could potentially mean to us humans and the planet.
HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WILLOW PROJECT:
