On Wednesday at the UN Climate Ambition Summit, President Biden failed to address oil and gas phaseout.

March to End Fossil Fuels in New York
The Greenpeace contingent with a banner during the march.
Thousands gathered in New York City for the “March to End Fossil Fuels” in the lead up to the UN Climate Ambition Summit on September 20th. Protestors called on President Biden and global leaders to phase-out fossil fuels and jumpstart a fair and just transition to renewable energy.

On Wednesday at the UN Climate Ambition Summit, President Biden failed to address oil and gas phaseout.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (September 20th, 2023) – In response to the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Ambition Summit, Ebony Twilley Martin, Greenpeace USA Executive Director, said: “As the leader of one of the most heavily polluting countries, President Biden’s absence at the summit and failure to commit to phasing out oil and gas is simply shameful. 

“After a summer of deadly wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves, we need President Biden to confront the industry that’s responsible for polluting the communities who support him. 75,000 people did not flood the streets of New York for half-baked measures and well-placed sound-bites. President Biden got a taste of being a hero in the global spotlight during the signing of the UN Ocean Treaty. He can keep the positive spotlight on him if he uses the same audacity to halt all new oil and gas projects.

“While President Biden was not present at the summit, California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke forcefully, calling out oil, gas, and coal companies for fueling the climate crisis in his remarks. We look forward to Governor Newsom following up on his powerful rhetoric with concrete action by ending new permits, and providing leadership on what a just and equitable fossil fuel phase out can look like in California.”

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Contact: Gigi Singh, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, [email protected], +1 (631) 404-9977 

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.