August 14, 2025
Trump opens Alaska's Arctic refuge to drilling while hosting Putin on former Russian land
Environmental rollbacks culminate as leaders meet on territory sold by czar
⚡Energy🌱Environment🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
President Trump signed executive orders in January 2025 opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve to oil drilling, reversing Biden-era protections.
Trump's Interior Department announced plans to drill in the "High Arctic" offshore area where US territorial claims aren't internationally recognized. The environmental rollbacks culminate as Trump hosts Putin August 15 in Alaska—territory Russia sold to America in 1867 for $7.2 million.
Trump signed executive orders in January 2025 opening Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling after Biden protected it
13 million acres of National Petroleum Reserve opened for drilling, reversing decades of environmental protections
Interior Department plans drilling in High Arctic offshore area where US territorial claims are not internationally recognized
Trump hosting Putin August 15, 2025 in Alaska - territory Russia sold to America in 1867 for $7.2 million equivalent to $140 million today
Environmental rollbacks coincide with Putin summit on former Russian territory, creating symbolic geopolitical messaging
Arctic refuge protected from drilling for decades due to critical wildlife habitat and indigenous cultural significance
Alaska purchase of 1867 cost $7.2 million and now contains billions in oil reserves that Putin wants access to
⚡Energy🌱Environment🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
People, bills, and sources
What You Can Do
1
Contact your senators at (202) 224-3121 to demand they block Arctic drilling through budget restrictions and environmental oversight
2
Support the Sierra Club at https://www.sierraclub.org and Natural Resources Defense Council at https://www.nrdc.org fighting Arctic drilling in federal court
3
Call the White House comment line at (202) 456-1111 to oppose the Putin meeting in environmentally sensitive Alaska during drilling expansion
4
Donate to Alaska Wilderness League at https://alaskawildernessleague.org specifically fighting Arctic refuge drilling and protecting indigenous rights
5
Contact House Natural Resources Committee at (202) 225-2761 demanding congressional oversight of drilling permits and environmental impact
6
Support indigenous rights organizations like Native American Rights Fund at https://www.narf.org defending Alaska Native cultural and treaty rights