#StopWillow Taking TikTok By Storm. Can Online Activism Make a Difference?

Elise Joshi, a 20-year-old climate activist and TikTok creator, didn’t expect her video about the Willow oil drilling project in Alaska to go viral. However, her anti-Willow video quickly accumulated over 300,000 views, with many people taking to social media to advocate against the project. The ConocoPhillips Willow Project could generate thousands of jobs, but it would also release 9.2 million metric tons of planet-warming carbon Pollution per year, which is about the same as adding 2 million cars to the roads.

@elisejoshi

Biden isn’t a climate champion if he approves an oil drilling project. Help get the word out about Willow! @wildernesssociety #stopwillow #alaska #nativetiktok #environment #greenscreen

♬ original sound – IG: elisejoshi

The TikTok movement against Willow, led by the #StopWillow hashtag, has gained over 50 million views, more than one million letters being written to the White House, and a Change.org petition with over 2.8 million signatures. While Willow has its supporters and opponents, the project has become a lightning rod on social media.

TikTok users have been galvanized around halting the project, and videos with anti-Willow hashtags have amassed millions of views in the past week alone. According to Alaina Wood, a climate activist and TikTok creator, this is a rare occurrence in the climate community. However, the sudden surge in online activism around Willow has been largely organic, with no one group spearheading the movement.

The sudden growth of #StopWillow has surprised legacy climate groups, some of which have wondered why it took so long for Willow to get noticed. The TikTok campaign has captured and amplified the anxiety and fear about the climate crisis on the app. Young people are concerned that if Willow gets approved, Climate change will be irreversible. While Willow is a significant issue for climate activists, Jamie Henn, the director of nonprofit Fossil Free Media, believes that specific fights galvanize public attention much more than policy does.

Despite the online activism, the question remains: can a grassroots, digital campaign make a difference? On Friday, a group of about 100 people gathered in front of the White House to demonstrate against the project, and TikTok creators have been making videos about the issue. However, those fighting Willow will continue to fight through legal means and direct action if the project gets approved.

@thegarbagequeen

#stitch with @.definitelynotray This is really scary stuff we’re dealing with, so it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling. Just don’t let it lead to inaction — or to give up on your future. Together we will address it — no matter what happens with Willow. Don’t feel like you have to carry the weight of all of it in your shoulders though. This is a team effort, and our team is growing in numbers and power every single day. Don’t give up the fight, but don’t be afraid to take steps to protect your mental health. #StopWillow #StopTheWillowProject #WillowProject #ClimateAnxiety #ClimateChange #ClimateGrief

♬ original sound – Alaina Wood

The TikTok creators themselves are unsure if the surge of online activism will work to halt or delay the project. However, if the project gets approved, they will continue to post about the project and detail ways their followers can Support Indigenous groups in Alaska and keep speaking out about Willow. Young people are increasingly demanding climate action from their elected officials, and they are going to demand it.

The TikTok movement against Willow has been largely organic, and it has surprised legacy climate groups. While it remains to be seen if the online activism will be enough to halt or delay the project, it has already led to millions of letters being written to the White House and a Change.org petition with millions of signatures. If you’re concerned about Climate change and want to make a difference, consider supporting organizations that fight for environmental causes or contacting your elected officials to let them know your concerns. Let’s all do our part to protect our planet for future generations.

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