The Ocean is Rising, and So Are We!
This week, over 1,200 environmental organizations nationwide are calling on the Biden Administration to make good on its promise to treat the unfolding climate crisis with the urgency that it deserves.
The Inflation Reduction Act that Sens. Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin agreed to contains hundreds of billions in financial incentives to build out the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy grid. But it comes at a price: the bill would require massive oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, reinstate an illegal 2021 Gulf lease sale, and mandate that millions more acres of public lands be offered for leasing before any new solar or wind energy projects could be built on public lands or waters.
Avoiding climate disaster requires us to stop all new oil and gas drilling on U.S. lands and waters immediately and begin phasing it out entirely. These leasing provisions lock in decades of additional fossil fuel pollution and continue a racist legacy of sacrificing environmental justice communities.
A similar situation unfolded this month in California, as Gov. Newsom used his clout to force an energy plan through the state legislature meant to streamline building of renewables, but which also allows for coastal gas plants that kill marine life to potentially remain operational years after their promised shutdown date.
As part of a national day of climate action, we are meeting at one of these coastal plants, Scattergood, at Dockweiler Beach in El Segundo on Sunday afternoon to create a giant fiber banner demanding that the Biden Administration declare a climate emergency. Until drawdown of fossil fuels truly begins, we will never meet our climate goals.
WHERE: 12793 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 (Tower 60) Closest parking at Grand Ave Parking Lot.
WHEN: Sunday July 31, 3:00 PM
We need your help to stand up and speak with a united voice against any more drilling on public lands and off our coasts.
Hope to see you there!
-DSA-LA Climate Justice Committee team