The Willow Project: Social Inequality, Citizenship, and Climate Justice in US Energy Development

Abstract

The research examines the contested approval of Alaska’s Willow oil venture as a lens to analyze intersections of energy policy, environmental degradation, and social equity. This interdisciplinary study critiques how fossil fuel development perpetuates systemic inequalities, disproportionately impacting Indigenous communities, low-income populations, and future generations. Through a framework of political ecology and critical citizenship, the research interrogates the project’s implications for social welfare (health, economic stability), citizenship (public participation, dissent), and climate justice (global vs. local accountability). Case study analysis reveals tensions between short-term economic growth and long-term ecological harm, situating the Willow Project within broader debates about globalization, sustainable development, and multiculturalism, particularly Indigenous rights and cultural sovereignty. By centering grassroots resistance and policy advocacy, the research highlights how marginalized groups redefine political agency in confronting corporate and state power. The findings underscore the urgency of integrating social inclusion and social education into energy transitions, arguing that climate justice demands equitable resource distribution and participatory governance. Ultimately, this research contributes to development studies and sociology by advocating for energy policies that prioritize human dignity, ecological resilience, and intergenerational equity in the face of escalating climate crises.