Washington, DC — In response to the results of the 2018 Midterm elections, 350.org Executive Director May Boeve gave the following statement:
“The task ahead of us is clear: keep fighting the fossil fuel industry. The same oil and gas companies that have been sowing doubt about climate change for decades are infiltrating our democracy at every turn, from continuing to pour millions into climate deception to lobbying on Capitol Hill. As we saw in Washington and Colorado, where we lost key climate initiatives, Big Oil and their allies will spend whatever it takes to protect their profits.
“New representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Deb Haaland, and Ilhan Omar are fighting for a phase out of fossil fuels toward 100% renewable energy. With historic wins for women of color, and unprecedented youth turnout, last night brought bold and powerful voices into our legislative process.
“We may never be able to outspend oil and gas executives, so it’s our job to build a political movement large enough for our voices to drown out their dirty money. More than ever, those holding office must take a stand against the fossil fuel industry’s undue influence on our democracy. We need public officials who refuse to be bought-and-paid-for by Big Oil and can stand up for groundbreaking climate policy like a Green New Deal. It’s time to say ‘no’ to fossil fuel money and invest in renewable energy solutions that put millions to work in family-supporting union jobs. When it comes to uprooting the corporate stranglehold on our political system and preventing the worst impacts of climate change, there’s not a moment to lose.”
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