In response to the Department of the Interior restarting the public lands fossil fuel leasing program, Tim Donaghy, senior research specialist with Greenpeace USA said:
“Last week’s IPCC report outlined the grisly risks that fossil fuels pose to people and the planet. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has clearly said there can be no new fossil fuel projects if we are to stand any chance at limiting the climate chaos. UN Secretary General Gutierrez went as far as to say, ‘This report must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels, before they destroy our planet.’ Ending fossil fuel leasing is an essential part of any effective climate plan. There are still many avenues for President Biden to consider in reforming leasing and we urge him to do everything he can to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Restarting leasing of our public lands and waters to fossil fuel companies would risk locking-in future emissions that will harm the health of Black, Brown, Indigenous and poor communities across the country.”