Greenpeace USA Welcomes Biden Administration’s Ocean Protections
Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2025)—In response to the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision yesterday to protect public waters from new offshore oil and gas drilling by withdrawing more than 625 million acres in areas of the Atlantic, Eastern Gulf, Pacific, and Northern Bering Sea from future leasing, John Hocevar, Greenpeace USA’s Oceans Campaign Director, said:
Greenpeace USA commends President Biden for taking decisive action to permanently protect these areas, which play a vital role in sustaining life, combating climate change and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. As coral reefs and Arctic sea ice disappear in rapidly heating oceans and millions of Americans suffer from climate-fueled storms, droughts, fires, and floods each year, halting any new offshore drilling is the kind of science-driven step needed right now. We have learned the hard way that when we allow oil drilling, we will have spills, often with catastrophic consequences.
This is an important step toward consigning the harmful and short-sighted practice to the annals of history. The good news is that the shift to wind and solar is well underway, with significant cost savings and environmental benefits. We will continue standing with workers and communities to protect the oceans and these hard-fought wins that ensure a better future for all of us, no matter which party is in power.
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first.
Contact: Tanya Brooks, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA
(+1) 703-342-9226, tbrooks@greenpeace.org
