Today, the leaders of ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Shell Oil, American Petroleum Institute, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce testified at House Oversight Committee hearing to address the reported role of the fossil fuel industry in a long-running, industry-wide campaign to spread disinformation about its role in the climate crisis.
In response Greenpeace USA Climate Leadership Project Lead Amanda Weaver said:
“Here’s what we know, fossil fuels have driven the climate crisis – the Big Oil CEOs admitted this during the hearing. Yet they also refused to stop spending money blatantly opposing efforts to reduce emissions and address climate change.
“The climate crisis is not some far-off future. It is here and it is responsible for the water crisis in Arizona, the record heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest, and deadly storms like Hurricane Ida. Air pollution from fossil fuels killed 8.7 million people globally in 2018 alone.[1] Pollution from natural gas infrastructure – including pipelines, drilling sites, and processing plants – has increased the risk of cancer for 1 million Black Americans. It’s also contributed to 138,000 asthma attacks and 101,000 lost school days for Black children.[2]
“If oil-backed Republicans want to make this an argument about the economy then let’s talk about that. Climate-fueled disasters cost the global economy $150 billion in 2019 alone.[3] Between 2010 and 2019, the United States experienced 119 climate disasters that each caused damages of $1 billion or more. That’s more than double the previous decade.[4] American taxpayers currently foot the bill for up to $15 billion in direct federal subsidies to the fossil fuel industry every year.[5]
“For years, we have been offered a false choice: a healthy economy or healthy people and planet. With fossil fuels, we get neither. The most recent IPCC is crystal clear – we must end all fossil fuel use and immediately transition to renewable energy to stand any chance at avoiding climate catastrophe.[6]”
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Notes:
[3] Fires, storms and floods cost $150 billion in 2019. More disasters are on the way
[4] 2010-2019: A landmark decade of U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters
[5] Fact Sheet | Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks and Societal Costs
