The Bureau of Land Management recently announced the opening of nominations for the first-ever oil and gas lease auction in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This decision has sparked controversy and legal action from three Gwich’in governments who are fighting to protect the refuge’s sacred land.
Raeann Garnett, the tribal chief of the Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government, is leading the charge against the DOI’s plan to lease land in the refuge’s coastal plain, known to the Gwich’in people as “Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit,” which translates to “the sacred place where life begins.” This area is crucial for the Porcupine caribou herds, upon which the Gwich’in people have relied for food and cultural survival for generations.
The fight over ANWR has been ongoing for over 50 years, with recent developments bringing the oil and gas industry closer to actual development on the coastal plain. The Trump administration authorized an oil and gas leasing program in ANWR, resulting in the sale of 7 leases out of 22 to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. However, the Biden administration later canceled these leases in 2023.
Despite these setbacks, the Trump administration announced plans to reinstate the leasing program in 2025, leading to the current legal battles. Two lawsuits were filed in January, challenging the DOI’s violation of Gwich’in legal rights and failure to conduct adequate environmental reviews. The Gwich’in Steering Committee and NARF are leading these legal challenges on behalf of the Gwich’in communities.
The lawsuits argue that large-scale oil and gas development in the coastal plain would disrupt caribou migration, foraging, and calving, making the refuge uninhabitable for the herd. This poses a significant threat to the subsistence lifestyle of Gwich’in communities who rely on the caribou for food and cultural practices.
In addition to the environmental concerns, the Gwich’in people are also facing the impacts of climate change, which is already transforming the Arctic region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Arctic Report Card has confirmed that the Arctic is warming faster than the global average, with fossil fuel use being a major contributing factor.
Garnett expressed her worries for future generations, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Arctic Refuge for wildlife and preserving it for the generations to come. The Gwich’in people are calling on the Trump administration and Alaska delegation to recognize the cultural and environmental significance of the Arctic Refuge and to refrain from drilling in this pristine wilderness. The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Life
The world’s oceans are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and depleting oxygen levels are just a few of the consequences of global warming that are threatening marine life. These changes are not only affecting the health of our oceans but also the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for food and income.
One of the most immediate and visible impacts of climate change on marine life is the bleaching of coral reefs. Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine species and provide crucial habitats for many fish and other marine organisms. However, rising sea temperatures and increased acidity levels are causing corals to expel the algae that live within their tissues, leading to bleaching and ultimately death. This not only disrupts the delicate balance of the ecosystem but also affects the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on coral reefs for food and tourism.
Rising sea temperatures are also affecting the distribution and abundance of marine species. Many fish species are moving towards the poles in search of cooler waters, leading to changes in the composition of marine communities. This can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, as predators and prey may no longer be in sync with each other, leading to imbalances in the food chain.
Ocean acidification is another major threat to marine life. As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, a significant portion of it is absorbed by the oceans, leading to a decrease in pH levels. This can have devastating effects on marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as shellfish and corals. Without these protective structures, these organisms become more vulnerable to predation and disease, leading to declines in their populations.
Depleting oxygen levels in the oceans are also a growing concern. As sea temperatures rise, the capacity of water to hold oxygen decreases, leading to hypoxic or oxygen-deprived zones in many parts of the world. These zones are often dead zones, where marine life struggles to survive and biodiversity is greatly reduced. This can have profound impacts on fish populations, as well as other marine organisms that rely on oxygen to survive.
Overall, the impacts of climate change on marine life are far-reaching and complex. In order to mitigate these effects, it is crucial that we take urgent action to reduce our carbon emissions and protect the health of our oceans. This includes implementing sustainable fishing practices, reducing plastic pollution, and creating marine protected areas to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems. By working together to address these challenges, we can ensure a healthy and vibrant ocean for future generations to enjoy.
