This week, the USA will decide the future of Nuiqsut, a tiny village on the north coast of AlaskaA US state in the extreme northwest of the continent of North America. It is separated from the rest of the USA by Canada. .

If they approve the Willow Project, the oil company ConocoPhillips will begin drilling near Nuiqsut on public land.

One-third of Alaska is in the Article Circle, where the climate is warming four times faster than the global average. But the state's economy depends on oil.

Supporters say the project will provide 600 million barrels over 30 years, helping the economy. Opponents say it will put 278 million tonnes of greenhouse gasesGreenhouse gases, which increase the atmosphere's capacity to hold heat, are vital to life on Earth: without them the planet would be freezing. But human activity is disturbing the delicate balance that created the conditions for life as we know it. Carbon dioxide is responsible for 60% of the manmade greenhouse effect, but we also produce smaller quantities of methane, ozone and nitrous oxide, which are even more damaging. into the atmosphere.

On social media #StopWillow is trending. Over two million people have signed a petitionA formal, written request for change, signed by many people. . But can it be stopped?

There is support in Alaska. Native Alaskans say it will bring jobs and investment to the region. "We are part of the environment," says local campaigner Nagruk Harcharek, as much as bears and caribou.

Experts expect ConocoPhillips to take the US government to court if Biden scraps their plan.

But the US president may be thinking about his re-election in 2024. Biden promises to end drilling on public land and young voters may not support him if he approves the Willow Project.

Some Alaskans say it must be stopped. "Our Native villages are eroding into the sea," says activist Karlin Nageak Itchoak. "Food sources are disappearing." It will make things worse.

Last year, a study showed new oil fields are "incompatible" with current goals to stop global warming. But rising oil prices have forced governments to increase production.

But campaigners say activism works. In 2021, protests convinced Biden to stop the controversialCausing a lot of angry public discussion and disagreement. Keystone XL oil pipeline between Canada and the United States. Nuiqsut is a physical front line in the fight to save the planet. "It makes it feel more real," says activist Jamal Raad.

Yes: President Biden will break his promise to his voters if he approves the Willow Project. So public pressure is essential to keep him true to his word.

No: This is business as usual. Election promises are often torn up. Petitions and protests are ignored. Money runs the world. There is very little we can do to stop Big Oil from drilling in the Arctic.

Or... Politics is about negotiating between interest groups and solving difficult problems. If we oppose the Willow Project, we must offer alternatives to meet people's needs.