Big fossil fuel corporations like Exxon, Chevron, and Koch Industries spend tens of millions of dollars lobbying Congress each year.1 Big Oil also donates massive amounts to Congressional candidates. The payoff? Republicans in Congress are either climate deniers or obstructionists, and inaction leads to more oil drilling, air pollution, extreme weather events, and severe threats to public health.
President Biden must undo this deadly cycle and declare a national climate emergency. This will allow him to use his powers to end oil drilling and supercharge renewable energy projects. In order to save our communities from the harmful health outcomes of fossil fuel pollution like asthma, severe respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and even premature death,2 we need President Biden to act.
Sign the petition to President Biden: Declare a national climate emergency to help America chart a path toward 100% renewable energy, climate resilience, safe air, and clean water.
We know fossil fuels are the major driver of climate change, and we know Big Oil companies like Exxon knew about it back in the 1970s. Despite this knowledge, Exxon kept on drilling for oil AND publicly cast doubt on climate science for years so that they could keep raking in major profits.3
Sometimes we can actually see the harmful effects of fossil fuel companies, like when there’s a massive oil spill or record high temperatures bring on wildfires that fill the air with soot. It’s harder, often, to see the long-term, deadly health impacts that fossil fuels have on so many communities across America and the world.
Big Oil is all about corporate profits over the health of the people and the planet. Congress won’t pass critical legislation to hit the necessary emission reduction targets to effectively fight climate change. So, it’s up to President Bide to use his executive powers.
Under the National Emergencies Act, declaring an emergency would empower the president to respond quickly to crises like climate change. The Biden administration would be able to marshal resources under the Defense Production Act to undertake renewable energy projects and do more to protect vulnerable frontline communities from extreme weather events. With this authority, President Biden could end oil and gas drilling — for good.4
Add your name: We need President Biden to prepare our people and our planet for a healthy, clean, safe future. We need the president to declare a national climate emergency now.
Sources:
- Open Secrets, "Top oil and gas companies increase lobbying spending amid global energy crisis,” April 21, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Air Pollution,” December 21, 2020.
- New York Times, "Exxon Scientists Predicted Global Warming, Even as Company Cast Doubts, Study Finds,” January 12, 2023.
- New York Times, "What Would a Climate Emergency Mean? Here Are 4 Key Points.” July 21, 2022.