Dear Governor Gavin Newsom,

I urge you to immediately stop issuing new oil and gas permits and begin phasing out fossil fuels in California.

As you have said, the horrific fires that have ravaged our state are fueled by climate change, which has made them more severe and more intense. Nevertheless, you have issued over 1,019 fossil fuel permits so far in 2021. If we are to avert the most catastrophic climate damages, the vast majority of fossil fuels have to stay in the ground. But you have allowed oil companies to do just the opposite.

These fossil fuel permits have been handed out in the middle of a deadly pandemic, despite research showing that people living in areas with worse air pollution are more likely to die from the coronavirus. In addition to the increased impact on at-risk communities during the pandemic, numerous studies show that fracking and drilling in California contribute to serious health problems such as underweight births, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and cancer.

For too long, oil and gas corporations have treated communities of color as sacrifice zones. Issuing more permits for fracking and drilling in these areas only reproduces the systemic racism you say you oppose.

As governor of a major world economy and one of the largest oil-producing states in the country, you have the power to change course and usher in a just and thriving future for all Californians. I'm urging you to live up to the promises you've made by using your executive authority to:

1. STOP issuing new permits for fossil fuel projects
2. DROP existing oil and gas production and enact a just and equitable transition that protects workers, communities, and economies.
3. ROLL out a 2,500-foot buffer to protect communities living near oil wells

Please stop Big Oil from fueling the climate crisis that is worsening wildfires.

Do the right thing and move forward with these changes today.