Feb 6, 2026: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially called for nominations to lease plots within the 1.5 million-acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
This area, often called the "American Serengeti," is a critical habitat for nearly 200 species, including polar bears, wolves, and the Porcupine caribou herd.
The administration’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" mandates at least four lease sales over the next decade. While proponents argue this will secure national energy independence, environmental advocates warn it will irreversibly damage a pristine ecosystem that has remained untouched for generations.
The Science Gap: Slashed Funding and Deleted DataUnder the current administration, the focus has shifted from climate research to resource extraction. Key policy changes include:Data Removal: References to "climate change" have been stripped from major regional planning documents.
Funding Shifts: Resources previously used for Arctic climate monitoring have been redirected toward military and energy initiatives.
Leadership Changes: The appointment of Thomas Emanuel Dans—a venture capitalist associated with Project 2025—to lead the U.S. Arctic Research Commission signals a shift toward viewing the Arctic primarily as a strategic economic asset. Global Climate Implications: The Arctic is warming approximately four times faster than the rest of the planet. Scientists warn that industrializing this region could trigger a "feedback loop" with global consequences:
"This year has really underscored what is to come," says Matthew Langdon Druckenmiller, an Arctic scientist. "To see record heat and record precipitation in the same year is a dire warning."
Indigenous Rights and Resistance
For the Iñupiat and Gwich’in peoples, the Coastal Plain is more than a resource; it is a homeland. While some local groups see potential economic benefits, many Indigenous leaders, such as the Gwich’in Steering Committee, have filed lawsuits to block the drilling. They argue that the administration is ignoring sacred land rights and subsistence traditions that have existed for millennia.
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