White House approves increased oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s national wildlife refuge

A porcupine caribou herd at the Turner River in the Arctic national wildlife refuge in Alaska. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

The Trump administration has approved more oil and gas drilling across Alaska’s Arctic national wildlife refuge (ANWR), prompting widespread criticism from environmental conservation organizations.

On Thursday, the interior secretary announced the opening of 1.56m acres across ANWR’s coastal plains, which is home to various wildlife including polar bears, caribou and moose, as well as whales and seals.