Arctic animals face a new threat that could severely exacerbate habitat stresses caused by climate change. In recent years, oil companies have targeted vulnerable waters in Alaska’s Chukchi and Beaufort seas, hoping to create a new frontier for oil drilling.

Twelve short months ago, most Americans knew very little about offshore oil drilling and its dangers. Then, in a tragic accident that was both sudden and drawn out, the Deepwater Horizon unexpectedly exploded killing 11 crew members and beginning the worst oil spill disaster in U.S.