IS A CLIMATE EMERGENCY IMMINENT?
QUICK READ: The world is facing an unprecedented global environmental crisis and the Biden Administration must do much more to mitigate this existential threat. Declaring a Climate Emergency should just be the beginning.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Biden’s decision last week to block drilling on millions of Alaskan Tundra acres is the latest action taken to curtail fossil fuel extraction on public lands and federal waters. He’s also barred 1.8 million acres of drilling in Wyoming, 1+ million in Colorado, and 6 million in the Gulf of Mexico, but they’re simply not enough. It’s time to declare a Climate Emergency and use all the nation’s resources to reverse the threat to our planet—including convincing banks to cease funding fossil fuel projects.
With increasing frequency people and the natural environment have experienced the devastating effects of man- made climate change. Around the world countries have been wracked by blistering heat waves, deluged with rain, suffered from unprecedented hurricanes, tornadoes and forest fires, and faced acute droughts.
Climate change affects our daily lives in less obvious ways too, from state conflicts over water to the flow of millions of environmental migrants. And, the poorest countries in the world, who emit the least amount of carbon, have suffered the most.
Biden’s approval of Alaska’s enormous Willow oil project and many smaller ones, which have outraged environmentalists and younger voters essential for his reelection, must be reversed. A Climate Emergency is just the first step.
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 this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
*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 this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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 this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
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].
As this summer’s climate catastrophes make clear, decisive action is needed now to save our planet. I am calling on you to:
- Demand that the Biden Administration immediately declare a Climate Emergency.
- Ban all drilling on public lands and federal waters.
- Protect endangered species and forests.
- Pressure Citigroup, JP Morgan and Bank of America to stop funding projects that exacerbate the climate crisis.
- Propose tax incentives for American investors to fund the green transition.
- Provide foreign assistance to countries in the Global South to alleviate the climate crisis.
FURTHER READING
Biden Administration to Bar Drilling on Millions of Acres in Alaska
Catalyzing Africa's Climate Potential
Climate Change 2023 -Synthesis Report
Climate records tumble, leaving Earth in uncharted territory - scientists
Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict
