We have a BIG opportunity in 2021 to finally get ahead of industry proposals and advocate for strong protections against climate-wrecking fossil fuels! We know that coal, oil and fracked gas wreak havoc on our climate, put our health and safety at risk, and target harm on low-income communities of color.
Artist credit: Saiyare Refaei, @saikick
With stronger protections, Ecology and other state agencies will have a clearer picture of the human and climate impacts of these projects. This will create accountability for striking down fossil fuel projects that pollute our communities. It would prevent industry from rigging the numbers and greenwashing dangerous projects. We’re showing Ecology that this is the green, equitable future that Washingtonians want—join us!
Messaging + Social Media Guide
New Rules for Fossil Fuels Factsheet
Why do we need a new rule?
- Initial environmental assessments by government agencies in the state have been woefully inadequate, leading to lengthy review processes and litigation. We need standards that will use the best available science for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions (climate impacts) of coal, oil, and gas projects. And also reviews that will center how communities on the frontlines of these projects are impacted.
- To start healing communities already targeted by polluting industries, we have to start analyzing impacts holistically, including looking at cumulative air pollution/emissions upstream and downstream of a project , instead of just the footprint of the newly proposed project.
- Time and again fossil fuel projects proposed in Washington have failed to adequately consult with or earn consent from the Tribes and Nations whose lands and rights are being impacted. Sovereign Nations must be respected and sufficiently centered in the siting of any project and in the greenhouse gas & health impact assessments of those projects.
Artist credit: Saiyare Refaei, @saikick
What’s at stake?
- We are at a critical time, as the harm from climate change becomes increasingly evident. Wildfires, decreased snowpack, and sea level rise threaten the very existence of our communities. These harms fall hardest on the people who already bear a disproportionate share of our environmental burdens.
- Fighting fossil fuel infrastructure is one of the best things we can do for public health. We know that industry is perpetuating racial and environmental injustices that are then magnified further in times of crisis.
- The best available science tells us that we have less than ten years to get a handle on fossil fuels or else face the most dire consequences of the climate crisis. Our current regulations are not enough. When we know better, we must do better.
What can you do?
SIGN: Add your voice today to our campaign, New Rules for Fossil Fuels
SHARE: Use our messaging and social media guide to share about this campaign online. Check out this amazing campaign video!
JOIN US: The Department for Ecology will release the draft rule in April and then host a public hearing in May. Leading up to the draft, we need communities all over the state to be collecting comments telling Ecology that we need a strong rule. Come May, we need huge turnout to the virtual hearings.
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