We lost an inspiring human being last month when Vic Fischer died on Oct. 22. He was an Alaska Constitutional Convention Delegate, a state legislator, a lifelong advocate for all Alaskans, and a friend and mentor to many people across the state and world.… Read More
Five days after a court ruling gave ConocoPhillips the go ahead to plow forward with its massive Willow oil and gas project, we appealed the decision to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Soon, we will file a motion requesting that the court stop construction on Willow while the Ninth Circuit Court hears our case.
There’s so much at stake for the Arctic and the planet. And so, we fight.… Read More
If you heard about ConocoPhillips’ new Willow oil and gas project, you might have seen or heard Bridget Psarianos’ name in the news. She’s our lead attorney on Willow litigation and arguably the personification of our informal organizational motto, “Small, but mighty!”… Read More
Too many pandemic lessons have gotten lost as the engine of “normal” revs back up. COVID awareness around the deep unfairness and unhealthiness baked into our economic and social systems has been swept under the rug of consumption and record profits and business as usual.
Even the lessons about how to prepare for deadly pandemics, wildfires, and storms has been forgotten in the rush to “get back at it.”
But business is not usual. Life is not “normal.” We’re already in a pot of hot water that’s set to boil, and we’re still resistant to change.… Read More
Motions can ask the judge to do an array of things, like changing where the case is heard, telling one party to release evidence or information to another, or agree to decide a case without oral argument. In our lawsuit challenging the approval of the Willow oil and gas project in U.S. District Court, we sought a preliminary injunction to stop ConocoPhillips from permanently and irreparably doing harm in the western Arctic while the court rules on our case.… Read More
I took some time off to see my family in early March. Within a day of returning, it felt like I hadn’t left at all.
Instead, I felt like someone delivered a soggy old cabbage sandwich made up of somewhat good news stuffed with clearly bad news. I’m as hungry for good news as anyone, but this dish tastes bitter.… Read More
The Biden administration approved the ConocoPhillips’ Willow project today, locking in oil and gas drilling and massive greenhouse gas emissions for decades. This decision undermines Biden’s climate promises and puts industry interests before the health of people and the planet.… Read More
Summer officially runs from summer solstice on June 21 to the fall equinox on September 22, but in Alaska it feels more fleeting. Already, it seems half gone.
Maybe it’s because the changes in light feel palpable, and plant and garden growth comes so fast you can hardly keep up.
Salmon runs suddenly get hot and then quickly wane; berries get plump and within weeks picked over by bears and dogs and humans; shorts and t-shirt days feel almost oppressive when coupled with wildfire smoke and no wind, yet will soon give way to the first frost.… Read More
By Dawnell Smith Agencies produce environmental impact statements to analyze and assess the impacts of a project proposal on people and the environment. An EIS is meant to help agencies make good decisions about proposals that impact land, water, animals, … Read More
By Dawnell Smith The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement last week for the massive ConocoPhillips Willow proposal for the western Arctic, with the shortest public comment period legally allowed. The project would spew … Read More