There are two existential threats facing the country: the attack on democracy and catastrophic climate change.

There are two existential threats facing the country: the attack on democracy and catastrophic climate change.

WASHINGTON, DC (September 1, 2022)–In response to President Joe Biden’s primetime address to the nation about the threats to our democracy, Folabi Olagbaju, Democracy Campaign Director, said: Our democracy is in peril. It has been hijacked by right wing extremists who are attacking the right to vote, abortion access, blocking bans on assault weapons, denigrating election results, and violently trying to prevent  a peaceful transition of power. We can’t have a healthy climate without a healthy democracy.  

“In America, voters get to decide the outcome of elections. But on January 6, Trump-supporting insurrectionists engaged in an alleged criminal conspiracy by helping to promote, pay for, and cover up this deadly attack on our country.”

“This MAGA movement continues attacking our fundamental freedoms by wielding a politicized Supreme Court and blocking critical voting rights legislation—all to overturn the will of the people and sabotage future elections. Unfortunately, Big Oil support for  funding politicians who sponsor legislation designed to disenfranchise voters and silence protests is strong. So far this election cycle, Big Oil has donated more than $2 million to incumbent candidates who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election and GOP committees with clear ties to the so-called “Big Lie.” 

“There are two existential threats facing the country: the attack on democracy and catastrophic climate change. The same communities who face the brunt of climate change–Black, Indigenous, and low-income–are also those most likely to face barriers to exercising their right to vote. A recent NBC poll showed that the state of our democracy was the top issue for voters, and Biden’s speech underscores the urgency of the moment. This is a moment for courage. We call on Biden to use his executive power to use the full power of the executive branch to avoid a complete climate breakdown. President Biden needs to direct Congress to stop doing any favors for the fossil fuel industry, like fast tracking fossil fuel infrastructure at the directive of a dangerous hand-shake deal between two Senators.”

“The threat to American democracy is real. We only have a few more years left to reduce our dependence on oil and gas before we surpass climate thresholds and find ourselves on the path to a catastrophic point of no return.”

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Contact: Rocio Estrada, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist,  [email protected], 301-592-7700

Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.