The Permian Basin— located in Texas and New Mexico — is projected to see most of North America’s expanded oil and gas production. As North America’s largest carbon bomb, neither the U.S. nor the world can meet its climate goals without its defusal.
Gustavo Ampugnani, executive director at Greenpeace Mexico said: “Mexico’s updated climate goals can only be attained if both Mexico and the U.S. put an end to exploitation of the Permian Basin. Greenpeace offices in the two countries will campaign on all fronts until Presidents López Obrador and Biden put their money where their mouths are.”
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has made it clear that not one more dollar can be invested in new oil, gas or coal production to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis by keeping global heating under 1.5° C (2.7° F). The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) maintains fossil fuels production must decrease by 6% per year to limit global warming. A livable future means an end to the reckless oil and gas expansion in the Permian Basin.
John Noel, senior climate campaigner at Greenpeace USA, said: “The oil and gas industry has lit a fuse on the Permian Basin carbon bomb that threatens to blow up any hope of a livable future. The technology to address the climate crisis already exists. It’s time for Presidents Biden and López Obrador to commit to ending the exploitation and destruction of our communities at the hands of the oil and gas industry.”
Noel continued: “From drought and record heatwaves to stronger, more frequent storms and flooding, we are living in a climate emergency. Last year, President Biden said that he will treat it as such. It’s time for him to make good on those words by kickstarting a fossil fuel phase out and declaring a climate emergency.”
As both nations face increased threats from the climate crisis, leaders from the U.S. and Mexico continue to incentivize the fossil fuel industry to ramp up oil and gas production in the Permian Basin and greenlight polluting fossil fuel infrastructure projects that will lock us into decades of emissions. From drilling and refining operations in Texas, to pipelines carrying Permian oil and gas through Mexico, the fossil fuel industry jeopardizes the health and safety of communities at each stage of the fossil fuel production process. In 2022, the U.S became a top exporter of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and around 70% of Mexico’s natural gas supply is being met by U.S. pipeline imports. This is not what climate leadership looks like.
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Greenpeace Mexico is an organization that executes non violent creative actions to condemn the threats against the environment in order to put pressure on companies and governments to create solutions that are essential for a greener and more peaceful future. Learn more at https://www.greenpeace.org/mexico/.
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. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.
Press Contacts:
Greenpeace Mexico:
Dana Olguín
Communications and media officer
+52 1 55 4964 5357 | [email protected]
Greenpeace USA:
Jamie Kalliongis
Campaign Communications Director
314-651-7497 | [email protected]
