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As a college student from Massachusetts now studying in Maine, I have been struck by how strongly this state values its natural environments. That perspective has made the renewed push for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge especially troubling. Even though the refuge is far from both Maine and my home state, the consequences of drilling there extend well beyond Alaska.
The Arctic Refuge is one of the last truly untouched ecosystems in the United States. Its landscape supports the Porcupine caribou herd, polar bears, musk oxen, and millions of migratory birds. Many of those birds travel through New England each year, which means the health of the refuge directly affects the wildlife that people here in Maine enjoy along the coast, in the marshes, and even in their backyards.
Drilling would bring roads, pipelines, air traffic, and noise into an environment that was never meant to withstand those pressures. It also threatens the way of life of the Gwich’in people, who rely on the caribou herd for food, culture, and identity.
As a young person, I can’t help but worry about the message this sends about our priorities. My generation will inherit the long-term consequences of today’s decisions, and weakening protections for the Arctic Refuge feels like moving backward at a critical moment.
I urge Maine’s leaders and residents to oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and stand up for conservation where it matters most.
Parker Loconto
Orono
