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Jonathan Wills

Jonathan Wills

Jonathan Wills is a journalist from the Shetland Islands, Scotland who came to Cordova, Alaska in 1989 to report on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. He became an oil spill activist who has fought for improved systems of oversight and safety in oil tankers and transportion both in the Shetland Islands and Prince William Sound. Dr. Wills holds M.A. Honours and Ph.D. degrees in Geography from the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of A Place in the Sun, Shetland Denial, which is partially based on his experiences in Cordova and Valdez, Alaska and Innocent Passage, a detailed account of the wreck of the tanker Braer in 1993. Dr. Wills has worked with the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (RCAC) on research about the effects of oil spills, as well as oil spill response and prevention issues.

 
Jonathan Wills appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Jonathan Wills, Part 1

Jonathan Wills was interviewed on October 21, 2013 by Alicia Zorzetto at the offices of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council in Anchorage, Alaska. Amanda Johnson operated the video camera. Scott Sterling also participated in this interview. In this first part of a three part interview, Jonathan talks about coming to Cordova during the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill as a journalist and becoming an activist. He and Scott also talk about the impact the spill had on the community of Cordova, and efforts made to prevent future spills by improving safety, oil tankers, and the oil industry. He also talks about the founding of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council and what it has accomplished.

 

 

 2013-26-06_PT.1 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Oct 21, 2013
Jonathan Wills, Part 2

This is a continuation of the interview with Jonathan Wills on October 21, 2013 by Alicia Zorzetto at the offices of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council in Anchorage, Alaska. Amanda Johnson operated the video camera. Scott Sterling also participated in the interview. In this second part of a three part interview, Jonathan and Scott talk about prevention of oil spills, the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council as a model, and the relationship between the oil industry, government, and private citizens. Jonathan also presents Norway as a success story of how that country has handled the oil industry and oil wealth.

 2013-26-06_PT.2 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Oct 21, 2013
Jonathan Wills, Part 3

This is a continuation of the interview with Jonathan Wills on October 21, 2013 by Alicia Zorzetto at the offices of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council in Anchorage, Alaska. Amanda Johnson operated the video camera. Scott Sterling also participated in the interview. In this third part of a three part interview, Jonathan and Scott talk about the future of Alaska's oil-based economy and the Alaska Permanent Fund, creating a sustainable future, involving the younger generation, and advise for how to handle a future oil spill and avoid activist burnout.

 2013-26-06_PT.3 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Oct 21, 2013