Rewilding Earth Podcast: Episode 144 | Fighting Back: Alaska’s Stand Against Trump’s Environmental Blitzkrieg

Host: Jeff Jack Humphrey
Guest: Cooper Freeman, Alaska Director for Center for Biological Diversity
Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 144 of the Rewilding Earth Podcast, host Jeff Jack Humphrey engages in a profound conversation with Cooper Freeman, the Alaska Director for the Center for Biological Diversity. The episode delves into the severe environmental threats posed by the Trump administration's policies in Alaska and the resilient efforts by conservationists to combat these challenges.

The Trump Administration’s Environmental Assault on Alaska

Cooper Freeman outlines the breadth of the Trump administration's environmental policies aimed at Alaska. He describes these actions as a "wrecking ball" targeting federal agencies responsible for conservation, scientific research, and wildlife protection.

Cooper Freeman [00:56]: "Trump is taking a wrecking ball to the federal agencies that really provide essential life-saving programs, conservation work, and scientific research."

Key initiatives include:

• Development Projects: Oil drilling in the Arctic, old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest, pipeline constructions, and offshore mining.
• Legal Rollbacks: Revocation of the Department of Justice's enforcement of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, effectively allowing oil and mining companies to harm bird populations without repercussions.
• Budget Cuts: Significant reductions in funding for vital conservation programs, leaving critical initiatives under-resourced.

Impact on Alaska’s Wildlife and Ecosystems

Freeman emphasizes the immediate and long-term consequences of these policies on Alaska's diverse ecosystems and iconic wildlife species.

Cooper Freeman [05:22]: "If Trump gets his way, Alaska is going to look very different from the worst."

Species under threat include:

• Polar Bears and Caribou: Climate change is reducing their habitats, leading to starvation and declining populations.
• Chinook Salmon: Experiencing intense declines due to warmer river temperatures and increased bycatch from industrial fishing practices.
• Endemic Species: Such as the Queen Charlotte Goshawk and Prince of Wales flying squirrels, struggling to recover from past overharvesting and habitat destruction.

Strategies for Protection: Legal and Advocacy Efforts

Freeman discusses the multifaceted approach the Center for Biological Diversity is employing to counteract these environmental threats:

• Legal Actions: Filing lawsuits to challenge harmful policies and protect critical habitats.
• Advocacy Campaigns: Mobilizing public support and engaging with policymakers to influence conservation legislation.
• Strategic Planning: Building strong legal frameworks to defend protected areas like the Arctic Refuge and Tongass National Forest.

Cooper Freeman [10:49]: "We need to keep pushing the line... to ensure Alaska and this country stays wild and abundant for future generations."

Unique Challenges in Alaska: Climate Change and Shifting Baselines

While Alaska remains one of the last truly wild places in the United States, Freeman highlights ongoing environmental degradation exacerbated by climate change.

• Climate Change: Irreversible impacts on ice-dependent species and overall ecosystem health.
• Shifting Baseline Syndrome: A psychological phenomenon where each generation perceives the environment's current degraded state as normal, hindering conservation efforts.

Cooper Freeman [22:48]: "Alaska has been dewilded in a huge way... there's a big epidemic of shifting baseline syndrome."

Specific Projects at Risk

Freeman identifies several critical projects and regions under threat:

• Arctic Refuge Drilling: Despite economic unviability, efforts to lease land for oil extraction continue, threatening pristine ecosystems.

  Cooper Freeman [26:19]: "It's unthinkable to lose the Arctic Refuge to drilling."

• Ambler Road Project: A proposed road that would disrupt the migratory routes of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd.

• Tongass National Forest: Ongoing attempts to undermine protections for one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world.

The Role of the Center for Biological Diversity

As the frontline defense against environmental degradation in Alaska, the Center for Biological Diversity plays a pivotal role in:

• Legal Defense: Expanding their team of attorneys to handle the surge in legal battles.
• Public Engagement: Educating the public and keeping communities informed about ongoing threats and victories.

Cooper Freeman [31:14]: "We're hiring up right now at the center... it's intense and it's a pretty profound battle, but we're up for it."

How Listeners Can Help

Freeman offers actionable steps for listeners to support conservation efforts:

1. Advocacy: Contacting local representatives to express opposition to harmful policies.
2. Engagement: Participating in town hall meetings and community discussions.
3. Support: Donating to organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity to bolster legal and advocacy initiatives.
4. Education: Sharing information and raising awareness about the importance of preserving Alaska's wildlands.

Cooper Freeman [33:55]: "If you have the means and can support organizations like mine and others, please do, because it's going to take a lot of people power to put these cases together."

Conclusion

The episode underscores the urgency of protecting Alaska's remaining wild areas against aggressive developmental agendas and climate change. Through legal battles, public advocacy, and sustained support, conservationists like Cooper Freeman are determined to safeguard Alaska's ecological integrity for future generations.

Cooper Freeman [36:38]: "We do need to recover species up here. There's a lot of species that need recovery efforts. It's not just keep the status quo."

Listeners are encouraged to take an active role in supporting these vital efforts to ensure that Alaska remains one of the last bastions of true wilderness on the planet.

Listeners can access additional resources and support for conservation efforts by visiting rewilding.org/pod.