Dangerous Influence

IN GOVERNMENT

To maintain its profits, the fossil fuel industry relies on racism in a more acute way than any other business. It relies on lying more than the large majority of other businesses—on a par with tobacco and opioid profiteers.

And it relies on money to influence elected officials in a way that is tragically ordinary: higher than average, but within American norms.

In 2022, the Biden Administration’s climate bill passed with major fossil fuel concessions. These included greenlighting the massive Mountain Valley Pipeline. Two key Senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia (a fossil fuel millionaire himself) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, received large donations from pipeline backer Next Era. Majority Leader Schumer was its largest beneficiary in that election cycle, receiving $281,000.

“THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY’S DARK MONEY HAS POLLUTED OUR POLITICS AS BADLY AS ITS CARBON EMISSIONS HAVE POLLUTED OUR ATMOSPHERE AND OCEANS.”
—SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, US SENATOR (RI)

US voters deserve a Senate Majority Leader who has taken the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge like 12 of his fellow Senators. (They’re listed to the right.)

IN THE UNITED NATIONS

We also deserve a UN process that isn’t polluted with the influence of those seeking to block a safe and just future, but instead fossil fuel influence has permeated the UN’s annual climate conference. In 2022, the industry sent 636 delegates, more than all of the ten most climate-impacted countries combined. The appointed president of the 2023 conference? The CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

Humanity stands at a precipice. We deserve governance free of the influence of those who brought us to the edge.

DOING THE RIGHT THING

These 12 Senators have all pledged not to accept fossil fuel campaign donations. Thank them! One or both of your Senators not here? Call them! We have a script you can adapt.

MICHAEL BENNET, CO
CORY BOOKER, NJ
JOHN FETTERMAN, PA
KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND, NY
AMY KLOBUCHAR, MN
ED MARKEY, MA
JEFF MERKLEY, OR
ALEX PADILLA, CA
GARY PETERS, MI
BERNIE SANDERS, VT
ELIZABETH WARREN, MA
PETER WELCH, VT

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