TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO PROTECT OUR PLANET
Rising greenhouse gas emissions are pushing the world to the brink of irrevocable damage that only swift and drastic action can avert
QUICK READ: It is clear from the science that, unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet—which requires rescinding approval of the Willow Project in Alaska, ending drilling on federal lands, requiring banks to stop financing fossil fuel developments, and limiting funding for major polluters like the Defense Department.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
On March 20, 2023, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the world would likely hit unsafe levels of warming—above a 2.7-degree Fahrenheit global temperature increase—by the 2030’s unless countries cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and stop all carbon dioxide emissions by the early 2050’s.
Continued warming would cause more catastrophic flooding, deadly heat waves, crop-destroying droughts, and other extreme weather; along with an increasing flow of frightened environmental migrants.
While immediately pivoting away from fossil fuels would stop global warming, just days earlier, Biden, who called rising temperatures an “existential threat to humanity” and promised to prevent drilling on federal lands, approved the Willow Project in Alaska, whose daily extraction of up to 180,000 barrels will more than wipe out all renewable energy emissions cuts over the next decade.
To save our planet for future generations, our MoCs must:
· Convince the Biden Administration to rescind the Willow Project’s approval and end drilling on public lands;
· Co-sponsor and urge passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act, requiring banks with $50+ billion in assets to stop financing fossil fuel projects;
· Reject Senator Manchin’s fossil fuel “permitting reform,” locking in fossil fuel expansion;
· Control funding for Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. As you know, unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project, which you rightly oppose, and preclude drilling on all public lands; • push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act you’ve co- sponsored; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. As you know, unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project, which you rightly oppose, and preclude drilling on all public lands; • co-sponsor and push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. Thank you for opposing HR 1, the GOP’s climate-denier bill, but more is required. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project and preclude drilling on all public lands; • co-sponsor and push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Shame on you for voting for HR. 1, the climate denier bill pushed by your leaders, and for refusing to recognize that your actions help exacerbate the extreme weather conditions that are devastating your constituents.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. As you know, unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. Thank you for opposing both the Willow Project and HR 1, the GOP’s climate-denier bill, but more is required. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project and preclude drilling on all public lands; • co-sponsor and push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project and preclude drilling on all public lands; • co-sponsor and push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Shame on you for voting for HR. 1, the climate denier bill pushed by your leaders, and for refusing to recognize that your actions help exacerbate the extreme weather conditions that are devastating your constituents.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. Unless the Biden Administration and Congress stop supporting fossil fuel developments, we will be unable to prevent irreversible catastrophic damage to our planet. Thank you for opposing HR 1, the GOP’s climate-denier bill, but more is required. I urge you to: • impress on President Biden the need to rescind approval of the Willow Project and preclude drilling on all public lands; • co-sponsor and push for passage of the Fossil Free Finance Act; • cut funding for the Department of Defense, a leading greenhouse gas emitter.
FURTHER READING
Scientists deliver ‘final warning’ on climate crisis: act now or it’s too late
World is on brink of catastrophic warming, U.N. climate change report says
The Climate Crisis is Coming for Your Children
The Willow Project Has Been Approved. Now What?
Al Gore warns it would be ‘recklessly irresponsible’ to allow Alaska oil drilling plan
Manchin, Westerman plot new push for permitting reform
House Passes G.O.P. Energy Bill, Pushing to Roll Back Biden Climate Measures
Why We Need the Fossil Free Finance Act
