Our oceans still deserve protection
The president has indicated he may soon reverse protections for our oceans despite widespread opposition.
When the Arctic and Atlantic oceans were set to be open to offshore drilling, the response was powerful — millions spoke out in opposition. Working alongside our partners, we mobilized people across the country to call on former President Obama to put these places off-limits to oil and gas companies forever.
It was a huge victory and a testament to people power when permanent protections were put in place safeguarding 98 percent of our federal Arctic waters and 3.8 million acres of the Atlantic. Unfortunately, our oceans are once again at risk to the threat of offshore drilling. On the heels of executive orders targeting climate progress and clean water, President Trump has indicated one is on its way that will promote offshore drilling.
Expanding offshore drilling makes no sense. We’ve seen time and time again that drilling can’t be done safely. In fact, the government acknowledged a 75 percent chance of a spill if we drill in the Arctic. This would be devastating to wildlife like polar bears, beluga whales and ice seals. And a spill in the Atlantic would damage a vibrant coastal economy that brings in millions of visitors every year.
Beyond the immediate impact of an oil spill, scientists says we must keep the majority of fossil fuels in the ground to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and more intense natural disasters. Opening new areas to more drilling and spilling is irresponsible and dangerous.
It’s no wonder the majority of Americans want to see our oceans protected. A recent survey showed that 59 percent of Americans believe the Arctic and Atlantic should be preserved for future generations, not sold off to the highest bidder. Additionally, over 120 east coast municipalities passed resolutions against offshore drilling.
Despite the widespread opposition to drilling and majority support for protecting our coasts, Secretary of Interior Zinke has said, “Opening more federal lands and waters to oil and gas drilling is a pillar of President Trump’s plan to make the United States energy independent.”
And people working closely with the president have indicated that even the Pacific — which has been closed to drilling since 1984 — will be opened.
President Trump has already acted on his support for Big Oil by green-lighting pipelines like Dakota Access and Keystone XL and by taking steps to dismantle key regulations on the industry. Our coasts could soon become the president’s latest gift to oil companies.
There’s too much on the line to sit back and let the president strip away the progress we’ve made. We didn’t back down last time our coasts were at risk and we’re not going to back down now. We’ll continue amplifying voices from across the country to make sure our oceans remain protected for generations to come.
