President accused of undermining own agenda with decision to allow hunt for oil in Arctic, as he prepares for three-day tour to showcase effects of climate change Barack Obama has been put on the defensive over his decision to allow the hunt for oil in the last great wilderness of the Arctic, on the eve of an historic visit to Alaska intended to spur the fight against climate change.The three-day tour – which will include a hike across a shrinking glacier and visits to coastal villages buffeted by sea-level rise and erosion – was intended to showcase the real-time effects of climate change, the White House said on Friday.