Air pollution is not just something in the UK that concerns us here at Syntegra and we are delighted that young people are championing the cause both here and overseas.
We were impressed that teenager Charlotte Green from St George’s School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, brought to our attention the international petition to prevent drilling for oil in Alaska over environmental concerns, primarily relating to extensive water and air pollution in the region.
Alaska’s Willow Project is in the international media spotlight after opponents voiced their disapproval on social media and protests in the US where the Biden administration is currently considering the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed project ahead of an announcement later this month.
The Willow Project is a proposal to drill down petroleum on Alaska’s North Slope, a region rich in petroleum.
According to the estimates, the project, potentially one of the country’s biggest ever oil projects, could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day – about 1.5% of the country’s oil production.
But while supporters have indicated that it could provide an “economic lifeline” to Indigenous communities, opponents have lodged a petition which has already received more than 26,000 signatures, stating the project risks producing 287 million metric tons of toxic chemicals over a 30-year-long development.
Clothing company Patagonia issued a statement saying: “This massive oil extraction operation threatens the health of caribou, moose, birds, and the habitats of other wildlife. Indigenous families living near the project site do not support it, citing grave concerns over air and water pollution and the degradation of their traditional subsistence hunting and fishing grounds.”
Syntegra MD Alan King said: ‘This example of Charlotte raising awareness locally about the petition is impressive as children across the world are showing concern for the future of our environment.
‘It is an excellent example of the younger generation picking up on our concerns and showing the drive and energy to continue to fight for what is right for our environment, no matter where in the world problems are occurring.
‘We have always said that climate change is an international crisis and if improvements can be brought about it one area, maybe – hopefully – others will follow.
‘We are always looking for sustainable solutions to all kinds of resourcing issues and ways to curb pollution which is such a big and needless killer.”