SUN JOURNAL • July 22, 2021
As a young climate activist, I’m deeply concerned about the fact that our political leaders are not doing enough to combat climate change. Case in point: the decision by Congress in 2017 to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development. The Arctic Refuge is one of the last wild places on earth. Unfortunately, the refuge is also ground zero for climate change. Now, Congress has the chance to rectify the mistake it made four years ago. Prohibiting oil and gas development in the refuge is critical for the survival of wildlife and the Gwich’in people — and is an important step to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. ~ Madison Sheppard, Waterford