John -
Today, President Biden announced the United States will impose a ban on Russian fossil fuels.
Here at 350, we stand in solidarity with Ukrainians at this time of unimaginable hardship. And that solidarity is underlined by a vision for a more peaceful, secure future free of fossil fuels and rooted in human rights.
Because the truth is that Putin's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the core role that fossil fuels play in driving conflict, exacerbating conflict, and affecting our responses to conflict.
Now is absolutely the time to phase out Russian fossil fuels. But we cannot stop there:
We need an immediate and government-sponsored push towards renewable energy. We must use our collective power to demand that our leaders turn away from Russian fossil fuels and invest in a new path forward, rather than replacing one source of fossil fuels with another.
Now more than ever before, we need to organize, mobilize, march, and protest. We need to grow our movement so our demands are heard by every government. We need to stop the fossil fuel industry from wreaking havoc on our planet. But there's no way we can do it without you, John. Will you help us?
There's no doubt that the fossil fuel industry is scared, John:
They know that fossil fuels are the backbone of Russia's power. Oil and gas exports make up 36% of the country's total budget.1 Oil and gas also contribute significantly to Putin's personal wealth while fueling the country's military resources and keeping the Russian currency afloat.2 Meanwhile, 25% of Europe's oil and 40% of its fossil gas comes from Russia.3 That means that not only is Russia's invasion of Ukraine directly funded by fossil fuels, but the response of the West is also weakened by our dependence on Russian energy exports.
The fossil fuel industry also knows that the conflict in Russia is shining a light on their deep corruption. That's why they're attempting to leverage this situation in their favor. Big Oil lobbyists in the US, for example, are using Russia's invasion of Ukraine to push back against the Biden administration's climate agenda, arguing that more U.S. oil and gas production will help reduce costs at home and support countries in Europe.4
But WE know that fossil fuels are not just bad for the planet — they're bankrolling war and devastation around the world.
A transition from Russian fossil fuels to non-Russian fossil fuels is not acceptable. It will only result in more conflict and the destruction of our climate.
We must push leaders to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and end the era of fossil fuels for good.
Will you add your name to the petition calling on Biden to phase out all fossil fuels?
In the words of Ukrainian climatologist Svitlana Krakovska, “Human-induced climate change and the war on Ukraine have the same roots: fossil fuels, and our dependence on them.”
You and I, and this incredible climate movement we are a part of, are the counter-voice to the fossil fuel industry. If we don't speak up, the only voices our politicians will hear are the fossil-fueled ones.
In our globalized world, crises like this impact us all, though not equally. As we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we must show leaders that a transition to renewable energy is the only promising pathway to bringing about the peace and resilience we all deserve.
A better world is possible.
Onwards,
Emily Southard
1 - Reuters
2 - Fortune
3 - Popular Information
4 - EcoWatch
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