Dear President Obama,
A few weeks ago I learned the rumors were true -- you’d be visiting my home state of Alaska! This is a big deal in and of itself, but I was really excited to learn that you will be the first sitting president to ever visit the Arctic.
For many Americans, the Arctic is an iconic region beloved for its vast, wild and intact landscapes, and unique wildlife; for Alaskans, this place is home. While I’m truly thrilled you will be visiting our state and witnessing the Arctic for yourself, I, like many Alaskans, am confused and disappointed that you have given Shell the green light to drill in the Chukchi Sea. This move runs counter to your administration’s commitment to fighting climate change, and is a direct threat to coastal communities in the region.
You will see firsthand that Alaska is a massive and diverse place, filled with unique people, perspectives, and landscapes. In preparation for your trip, I’ve drafted a list of items that you should pack. While some of the items such as hiking boots and a mosquito hat are obvious, there were a number of items that you may not have thought to bring.
President Obama, on your visit to my home state of Alaska, please consider packing:
A good pair of binoculars. See incredible wildlife like caribou, snowy owls, and polar bears on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that your administration say should be permanently protected from oil and gas development… as well as Shell’s oil rigs in the Chukchi Sea.
Your appetite. Eat the wild red salmon you prioritized over oil and gas development in Bristol Bay; a landmark action to prioritize a truly renewable resource over short term dirty energy development.
A good raincoat. You’ll need it to explore the Tongass National Forest, which thanks to your administration, will remain one of the largest intact temperate rain forests in the world.
Lots of t-shirts. You wouldn’t have needed them just five years ago, but as you said in your video, climate change is heating up Alaska faster than anyplace else in the lower 48.
Consolation prizes for wildlife in the Arctic Ocean. Maybe they can’t have an oil-free home for much longer now that Shell has been allowed to drill for oil, but you could at least bring some noise cancelling headphones for the whales and walruses near the Shell oil rigs that create a noise so loud it’s labeled harassment. You could also consider bringing 35,000 or so life vests for the walruses that will likely have to haul out again on dry land due to rapidly melting sea ice, too--if there’s room in your suitcase.
A bucket and a hazmat suit. I like to come prepared when I travel, and would not want to see you caught off guard in the event of a major spill in the Chukchi Sea. When your administration gave Shell approval to drill in the Chukchi Sea -- despite your own advisers noting the 75-percent chance of a major oil spill -- the future of the Arctic and the world’s climate was put on notice.
I’m glad you’re making this trip to Alaska and the Arctic to highlight climate change. From the record-breaking heat this summer, to the rapidly melting glaciers, this is ground zero for climate change. Your Administration has done and can still do so much good for Alaska, and by extension the world, and I hope you will use your visit as an opportunity to cancel all future and existing drilling leases in the Arctic and remove the Arctic from the 2017-2022 five year energy plan entirely.
Alaska and future generations worldwide are counting on you, President Obama.
Looking forward to seeing you in a week!
Alli