Dear President Biden,
In May of 2021 the International Energy Agency laid out in no uncertain terms what the scientific community has been saying for several years: we must “end new oil, gas and coal funding.” [1] Not just that, but the latest science shows that we have more than enough renewable energy potential to power our societies and economies. [2]
As the leader of the country with the largest economy in the world, it is essential the United States lead by example and immediately end all new investment in fossil fuels and the infrastructure that supports their proliferation.
All across the nation – from Los Angeles to Des Moines to New York City to Memphis to Seattle and beyond – local governments are joining the SAFE Cities movement [3] and blocking new fossil fuel projects to protect their residents and address the climate crisis. They’re prioritizing investment in green projects, electrification and initiating a just transition to a clean energy future.
At the same time, people are fighting mega-fossil fuel projects like the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota, the Jordan Cove LNG terminal in Oregon, the North Brooklyn pipeline in New York, and the Byhalia Connection in Tennessee. National leadership and action to stop these destructive projects is essential.
We are heartened by many of the positive steps you and your administration have taken to curtail fossil fuels usage and address climate change, but there are still many things that need to be done to combat this global crisis.
That’s why we, the undersigned, are calling you to immediately implement the following actions:
- Block, cancel, or rescind any and all permits for incomplete fossil fuel exploration and infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to: pipelines, refineries, oil and gas fields, coal mines, storage terminals, export terminals and any other piece of infrastructure that will expand the footprint of the fossil fuel industry.
- Equitably redirect and reallocate any and all money, tax credits, and resources supporting fossil fuel industries to the clean energy sector in order to facilitate a just transition where no worker, family, or community is left behind.
- Begin engaging in talks with the international community to help facilitate and draft a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would phase out fossil fuels and implement a just transition. [4]
The science and economics could not be clearer. Every new fossil fuel project that moves forward takes one step closer to climate catastrophe. The time is now to end all new fossil fuel exploration and infrastructure expansion projects while simultaneously investing in a clean energy future.
Respectfully,
127,737 concerned individuals and the following organizations:
198 Methods
350 Colorado
350 Conejo / San Fernando Valley
350 Hawaii
350 Seattle
350 Ventura County Climate Hub
350 Juneau – Climate Action for Alaska
350 NYC
Academia Cidadã – Citizenship Academy
Animal Save Movement
Aytzim: Ecological Judaism
Bergen County Green Party
Berks Gas Truth
Beyond Extreme Energy
Breast Cancer Action
Businesses for a Livable Climate
Call to Action Colorado
Can You Hear Us?
CatholicNetwork US
Center for Biological Diversity
Centre for Citizens Conserving (CECIC)
Clean Energy Action
Climate Action Rhode Island – 350
Climate Emergency Institute
Climate Hawks Vote
CA Businesses for a Livable Climate
CO Businesses for a Livable Climate
Colorado Small Business Coalition
Conejo Climate Coalition
Courage California
Earth Action, Inc.
Eco Action Families
Empower our Future – Colorado
Ethical Markets Media Certified B. Corporation
Extinction Rebellion San Francisco Bay Area
Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition
Fossil Free California
Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard
FracTracker Alliance
FracTracker Alliance
Fresh Eyes
FreshWater Accountability Project
Fridays for Future USA
Friends of Peace Building and Conflict Prevention
Green Education and Legal Fund
GreenFaith
Greenpeace
Inland Ocean Coalition
International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute
MediCorner
Merced 350
Movement Rights
NC Climate Justice Collective
New Weather Institute
Nipe Fagio
North Range Concerned Citizens
Novasutras
Nurture The Children
Occupy Bergen County
Our Revolution Michigan
Power Shift Network
Preserve Giles County
Preserve Salem
Pueblo Action Alliance
Rapid Shift Network
Santa Cruz Climate Action Network
Social Eco Education (SEE-LA)
Spirit of the Sun
Stand.earth
Texas Campaign for the Environment
The Future Left
Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development
Unite North Metro Denver
Vote Climate
Wall of Women
WildEarth Guardians
World Basic Income
