---
title: Threat of Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
description: The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is under threat. The US is moving to open the last 5% of undeveloped Alaska coast to drilling. Learn how you can help!
---

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# THE THREAT

#### The Arctic Refuge is at risk of energy development. This process could threaten local wildlife, indigenous cultures, and the global climate.

![Group 280](https://www.protectthearctic.org/hubfs/Group%20280.svg)

### FAST FACT

Oil drilling releases carbon stored in Arctic soil into the atmosphere. This leads to increasingly volatile shifts in global climate.

![Group 252](https://www.protectthearctic.org/hubfs/Group%20252.svg)

### FAST FACT

Development of the coastal plain would threaten important habitat for birds, caribou, polar bears, and other wildlife.

![Path 6681](https://www.protectthearctic.org/hubfs/Path%206681.svg)

### FAST FACT

Seismic testing could cause polar bears to leave their dens too early in the spring, putting young bear cubs at risk of freezing.

[EXPLORE: Why would a German photographer spend half his life photographing wild North America 

](https://www.protectthearctic.org/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-filming-florian-schulz-story) [BLOG: Read the latest news and updates on the fight to #ProtectTheArctic 

](https://www.protectthearctic.org/blog) [ MEDIA: Find out more about the Giant Screen film and view the trailer 

](https://www.protectthearctic.org/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-giant-screen-film)

“The Arctic Refuge faces being sold for energy development as soon as this year.”

[![TAKE ACTION](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/a33355e5-55e0-4df7-ab16-e335d2269653.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/a33355e5-55e0-4df7-ab16-e335d2269653)

History

[![Read More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/3fd5ac72-2082-4386-8a77-165241140fe2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/3fd5ac72-2082-4386-8a77-165241140fe2)

Indigenous Peoples

[![Read More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/65cbcb55-259d-4b1d-aaab-16d9ba79396b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/65cbcb55-259d-4b1d-aaab-16d9ba79396b)

Wildlife

[![Read More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/1b2ab76c-2dcb-4be3-9b6e-c698221788c9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/1b2ab76c-2dcb-4be3-9b6e-c698221788c9)

Environmental Importance

[![Read More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/cfadf41f-c859-490d-893b-5e600b073026.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/cfadf41f-c859-490d-893b-5e600b073026)

![](https://www.protectthearctic.org/hubfs/white.svg)

America's Arctic is a climate-critical landscape and a global treasure for biodiversity. Join us to #ProtectTheArctic. 

[![Take Action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7330166/ddbd38b0-eac4-4a1a-bc39-69d80bd8ba36.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7330166/ddbd38b0-eac4-4a1a-bc39-69d80bd8ba36)

[![protect-the-arctic-img-logo-2](https://www.protectthearctic.org/hubfs/protect-the-arctic-img-logo-2.png)](https://www.protectthearctic.org/)

#### ABOUT US

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