An Oceana analysis released today finds permanent offshore drilling protections for unleased federal waters could prevent over 19 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions as well as more than $720 billion in damages to people, property and the environment. Oceana calls on President Biden to permanently protect our coasts from offshore drilling to ensure the future of our coastal economy that depends on a healthy ocean and help address the growing climate crisis.
“By permanently protecting our coasts from dirty offshore drilling and advancing clean energy sources like offshore wind, we can simultaneously combat climate change and safeguard our clean coast economy,” said Oceana campaign director Diane Hoskins. “President Biden has an incredible opportunity to act on climate change and protect our coasts once and for all by closing the chapter on future offshore oil leasing. If enacted, President Biden’s campaign commitments to tackle the climate crisis and protect our waters from new offshore oil drilling will ensure we build back better, keep coastal economies safe from oil disasters and support a transition to clean, renewable energy.”
Oceana’s analysis finds banning offshore drilling in all federal waters could:
Oceana recommends President Biden end new leasing for offshore oil and gas and prioritize responsible development of offshore wind to combat the climate crisis. Oceana also recommends that Congress enact a permanent ban on all new leasing for offshore oil and gas.
“Oil and gas companies are responsible for the devastating impacts of climate change, like more frequent and powerful storms, droughts, wildfires and famine,” said Jacqueline Savitz, chief policy officer at Oceana. “These companies should not be granted license to continue generating the greenhouse gases that are driving the climate catastrophe. Climate change is wreaking havoc today, now, in America. To avoid even worse damage in the future, we must begin the transition to clean energy immediately.”
As of today, opposition and concern over offshore drilling activities nationwide includes:
For Oceana’s full analysis, please visit Oceana.org/ClimateCrisis.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop the expansion of offshore drilling activities, please click here.