Youth climate activist Natasha Bhatia leading the Chicago Climate Strike on March 3, 2023.
By Helen Quinn Pasin
Despite widespread opposition from climate activists and an overwhelming number of youth voices, President Biden approved a controversial oil drilling project on an Alaskan lake. The $8 billion ConocoPhillips Willow Project is expected to generate 180,000 barrels of oil daily and is called a "carbon bomb" by climate activists.
In response to the federal government's decision, more than 5.6 million letters were sent to the White House and the Department of the Interior. Petitions collected over 4 million signatures, and the hashtags #StopWillow and #StopTheWillowProject received hundreds of millions of views on TikTok and other social media platforms. Nationwide, youth planned school walkouts and rallies and utilized the power of social media to make their voices heard.
"President Biden has the power to stop the approval of the Willow Project and choose to invest in renewable energy sources," said 17-year-old climate activist Natashia Bhatia at Chicago's Global Climate Strike on March 3. Bhatia shared a video of her speech with the One Earth Film Festival. "President Biden, fulfill the promises of your campaign to end new oil drilling. Youth across the nation want to see concerns for our future taken seriously. Take action against this looming threat and pave the way for a sustainable future."
Bhatia is the co-head of Fridays for Future Chicago and is a part of It's Our Future, a youth-driven program that empowers Chicago-area high school students to advocate for climate solutions and their futures.
In an interview with the One Earth Film Festival, Bhatia expressed grave concern for the implications of Biden's decision and disappointment that he broke his campaign promise to stop drilling on public lands. "I've definitely noticed more of a youth presence because it's us who will be impacted. We're the ones who are going to inherit this problem." Bhatia feels empowered by the increase in youth activism in the face of the Willow Project.
Bhatia advises anyone, young or old, who is on the fence about joining the fight for the planet: "You don't have to be the person who's standing up ahead giving a speech to hundreds of people. If that's not you, then that's OK." She stresses the need for every skill set, whether working in the background, utilizing social media, or just showing up.
The podcast Earthwise: Learning to Think Green by Manolo Avalos has a presence on Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube.
Another 17-year-old climate activist, Manolo Avalos, took to podcasting in opposition to the Willow Project. Avalos is on One Earth Collective's Youth Advisory Team and was a post-film facilitator at last month's film festival. His podcast Earthwise: Learning to Think Green is where he discusses everything from anger to optimism on global climate issues.
In an interview with the One Earth Film Festival, Avalos expressed anger and disappointment in Biden's decision. He tries to channel that anger into action. "Talk to your friends about what you're hearing and seeing, and come up with something you can do," he said.
During her speech at the March 3 Climate Strike, Bhatia said: "We will not rest until these companies stop funding fossil fuel projects and start investing in renewable energy. We demand they take responsibility for their carbon emissions and commit to reducing them. We won't be silenced. We won't back down. We will continue to raise our voices and make our demands heard."
Youth-led Chicago Climate Strike, March 3, 2023. Photo from Natasha Bhatia.