On October 11,
Typhoon Halong slammed into the coast of Alaska. Houses
glided away off their foundations, roads were
demolished, power lines and communication lines toppled,
and sanitation systems destroyed. Many communities
still have no access to electricity or safe, clean water
— even weeks later. More than one thousand people
and entire towns have been displaced.
All this
was made worse by rapidly-intensifying climate change.
Yet Trump's administration
just finalized its decision to allow oil and gas
drilling in the unsoiled, protected lands of the Alaskan
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Experts
are saying that it may take 18 months or longer for
towns to be safe for residents to return to. But even
once these typhoon-impacted towns are rebuilt, they will
simply face the next wave of climate-induced threats —
and residents can't just rebuild
forever.
Climate change is not only changing
the world, but it's specifically changing Alaska.
Much of the state's ground has traditionally been
permafrost, or land that remains frozen throughout the
year. But now, that land is thawing, reeking havoc on
both the ecosystems there and even on human
construction.
Drilling would disrupt wildlife and
the environment by way of human construction, noise and
light pollution, and the use of toxic chemicals. Native
tribes hold these lands as sacred and are demanding
continued protections for the area. Drilling would
not only lay waste to beautiful portions of this
irreplaceable Refuge, but it would also further commit
the U.S. to dirty energy sources — which cause and
worsen climate change.
This latest typhoon
and the devastation it brought should make it clear that
we must prioritize people and the Earth above profits.
We must oppose oil and gas
drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and
demand a workable, enforceable plan to fight climate
change! Sign the petition now!
