I grew up watching March of the Penguins and dreaming of ice floes — now I can’t help worrying those ice breaks are under siege. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the fight for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Western Arctic, where the Trump administration is proposing to dismantle protections on 13 million acres of some of the most ecologically rich land in the U.S.
We’ll unpack why this is happening, from promises of energy independence to big oil dollars, and explore what’s at risk: polar bears, caribou, migratory birds, and Indigenous communities who have called this land home for generations. We’ll also weigh the drilling debate — the economics, the climate costs, and why some leaders say the Arctic is worth more than the oil beneath it.
Finally, I’ll share how you can take action — from submitting a public comment to supporting Indigenous-led campaigns — because protecting one of America’s last truly wild places starts with all of us.
Step 1: Find your reps.
Step 2: Choose your method.
Step 3: Craft your message.
Step 4: Include your info.
Public Comment Link: https://www.protectthearctic.org/i-can-help
BLM Email: blm_ak_afs_public_affairs@blm.gov or blm_akso_ak932_cpcomments@blm.gov
*From my research, I believe the public comment one to be better for this particular situation.
Email Template for the BLM
Subject: Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
To: blm_akso_ak932_cpcomments@blm.gov
Body:
Dear Bureau of Land Management,
As a concerned constituent, I strongly oppose any efforts to expand oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska.
These lands are home to irreplaceable wildlife habitats, including caribou herds, migratory birds, and polar bear denning areas. They are also essential to the cultural and subsistence traditions of many people. Opening them to drilling would have devastating and irreversible impacts on these ecosystems, accelerate climate change, and compromise one of our nation’s last truly wild landscapes.
I urge you to maintain and strengthen protections for the Arctic Refuge and Special Areas within the NPR‑A. Please prioritize science-based management and respect for Indigenous rights over short-term industrial gain.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
Cited Sources:
Meek, Mariah. “Surrendering Alaska’s Largest Public Land Tract to Big Oil.” Our Midland, 7 July 2025.
NRDC. “The Trump Administration Seeks to Undo Protections for 13 Million Acres in the Western Arctic.” NRDC, 19 Apr. 2024.
Rosen, Yereth. “Economic Impacts of Mining in Alaska Include Wages, Taxes, and Career Training, Report Says.” Alaska Beacon, 13 Aug. 2024.
“Rockefeller Initiative: Oil & Gas Development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve‑Alaska.” Harvard Environmental Law Program, 3 June 2025.
“National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska.” Wikipedia, updated 2025.
“Trump’s EPA and Interior Move to Expand Oil and Gas Leasing in Alaska Reserve.” Reuters, 17 June 2025.
“Trump Officials Open Up Millions of Acres in Alaska to Drilling and Mining.” The Guardian, 2 June 2025.
“Interior Moves to Rescind 2024 Rule on Alaska’s Petroleum Reserve.” U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 2 June 2025.
“Environmental Policy of the First Donald Trump Administration.” Wikipedia, updated May 2025.
Time Magazine. “The Trump Administration Keeps Trying to Sell Federal Land for Oil Drilling. But Nobody Wants It.” Time, old.
Gwich'in Steering Committee. Gwich'in Steering Committee, gwichinsteering.org
