WATCH: Advocates discuss the impacts of fossil fuels on public lands

The science is unequivocal: burning fossil fuels is threatening our health and fueling climate change. And we’re living the consequences in our daily lives in the form of severe wildfire and flooding, drought, record-breaking heat and dangerous air quality levels.

Because almost a quarter of the U.S.’ annual climate change emissions can be traced back to fossil fuels from what we now call public lands and waters, they’re critical places to take action. 

The Wilderness Society hosted a virtual conversation about the cycle and impacts of oil, gas and coal development on public lands and ways communities are taking action to make them part of the climate solution, instead of the problem. Betsy López-Wagner moderated the discussion between TWS Senior Director of Climate Solutions, Natalie Mebane, Siqiñiq Maupin, Director of Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic, and Kayley Shoup, Community Organizer for Citizens Caring for the Future.

As we heard from Siqiñiq Maupin, the massive Willow project that ConocoPhillips is trying to develop in Alaska would spell disaster for our climate and for nearby communities. But we can still stop it!