October, 28 2021, 05:35pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alex Smalto, Climate Campaign Associate, PIRG, asmalto@pirg.org
Morgan Folger, Destination: Zero Carbon Campaign Director, Environment America, mfolger@environmentamerica.org
Taran Volckhausen, Communications Associate, tvolckhausen@
Investigation Into Big Oil's Climate Disinformation Underscores Need for Fossil Fuel Accountability
Oil companies testified at a congressional hearing on their role downplaying the climate crisis.
WASHINGTON
Major oil company executives testified at a congressional hearing on Thursday, answering questions on the fossil fuel industry's role in the spread of climate disinformation. Coined a "landmark" hearing, it is the first time fossil fuel company and trade association leaders were questioned, under oath, about their knowledge of the industry's role in downplaying the climate crisis and preventing climate action.
In response, Alex Smalto, U.S. PIRG End Fossil Fuel Subsidies campaign associate, issued the following statement:
"Congress' investigation into the fossil fuel industry's role in downplaying global warming is an important step toward building a greener future. For too long, the fossil fuel industry has been reaping the benefits of subsidies and tax breaks while polluting our planet and threatening public health. We can no longer tolerate the industry sowing doubt and spreading denial about climate change when we are already seeing its devastating effects. It's time for big oil, coal and gas companies to be held accountable for the damage they have caused. Congress taking action to hold fossil fuel companies accountable is exactly what we need."
Morgan Folger, Environment America's Destination: Zero Carbon campaign director, said:
"By holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for their actions we are setting the stage for cleaner energy, cleaner transportation and a cleaner world. The warming of our planet calls for immediate action to curb global warming pollution. We thank Congress for pushing the industry to take responsibility for fueling the climate crisis. Curtailing fossil fuel companies' ability to profit off of polluting the planet helps us move toward an electric future and leave fossil fuels in the past."
U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.
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Guterres "is particularly concerned over the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes on several locations in Syria" and has stressed the "urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," said U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Israel claims its invasion and bombardment of Syria—which come as the United States and Turkey have also violated Syrian sovereignty with air and ground attacks—are meant to create a security buffer along the countries' shared border in the wake of last week's fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and amid the IDF's ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed or wounded more than 162,000 Palestinians and is the subject of an International Court of Justice genocide case.
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Addressing the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and conversations it has sparked about the country's for-profit system, longtime Medicare for All advocate Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday condemned the murder and stressed that getting to universal coverage will require a movement challenging corporate money in politics.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)—a co-sponsor of Sanders' Medicare for All Act—similarly toldHuffPost in a Tuesday interview, "The visceral response from people across this country who feel cheated, ripped off, and threatened by the vile practices of their insurance companies should be a warning to everyone in the healthcare system."
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