Defending the Arctic Refuge: A Photographer, an Indigenous Nation, and a Fight for Environmental Justice

Defending the Arctic Refuge tells the story of how Lenny Kohm, a former jazz drummer, and aspiring photographer, used images and Indigenous voices to mobilize grassroots opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, transforming the debate into a struggle for environmental justice.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 344 pages
\n Publication date: 17 May 2021
\n Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
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Nestled in the northeastern corner of Alaska, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge stands as one of the most contentious landscapes across North America. Revered as sacred by Indigenous communities in Alaska and Canada and cherished by environmentalists, this unique ecosystem serves as a vital lifeline for caribou, polar bears, migratory birds, and numerous other species. However, for decades, the fossil fuel industry, aided by influential politicians, has relentlessly pursued its agenda to transform this pristine ecosystem into an oil field.

Defending the Arctic Refuge is a captivating tale that unfolds the remarkable story of how the people fought back against these relentless efforts. At the heart of this narrative is the unlikely figure of Lenny Kohm (1939-2014), a former jazz drummer and aspiring photographer who wholeheartedly dedicated himself to Arctic Refuge activism. Armed with a trusty slide show, Kohm, alongside representatives of the Gwich in Nation, embarked on a journey across the United States, mobilizing grassroots opposition to oil drilling in the refuge. Through the powerful combination of images and Indigenous voices, they crafted a political movement that galvanized the citizenry and transformed the debate into a fierce struggle for environmental justice.

In a time of escalating climate change, species extinction, and the relentless threats to Indigenous lands and cultures, this book serves as a poignant testament to the power of collective action in defending human rights and ecosystems. It showcases the remarkable ability of diverse alliances to challenge multinational corporations and drive meaningful change on a global scale. By delving into the complexities of the Arctic Refuge controversy, Defending the Arctic Refuge offers valuable insights into the ongoing battle for environmental conservation and the urgent need to protect our planet's precious natural resources.

\n Weight: 844g\n
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781469661100\n \n