Here's how the Arctic is valued by its people—and the oil industry

The Arctic is not a barren, frozen wasteland. Instead, it's home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the world. More than this: it's home to people. Those people are at the center of controversy over oil drilling in the Arctic. The Trump administration is now starting the formal process of selling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies, according to the New York Times. The move comes after the Trump administration opened the refuge for oil drilling in August 2020.