“drill, baby, drill”

The renewed “drill, baby, drill” rhetoric coming out of the Oval Office raises a number of serious concerns that aren’t being widely discussed. Here are some key areas to consider, along with actions we can take to resist and educate others while there’s still time.

What’s Not Being Talked About?

1. Climate Commitments Are Being Undermined

• The U.S. had previously made international commitments to transition away from fossil fuels. Expanding oil drilling now weakens those commitments and makes climate goals increasingly difficult to meet.

• Even if domestic drilling increases, it won’t necessarily lower gas prices or improve energy security in the long run because oil is sold on global markets, and price fluctuations are dictated by more than just supply.

2. Environmental Destruction Beyond Carbon Emissions

• Increased drilling leads to habitat destruction, water contamination, and an increase in methane leaks—one of the most potent greenhouse gases.

• Offshore drilling poses major risks of oil spills, like Deepwater Horizon, which had long-lasting ecological and economic consequences.

3. Ignoring the Renewable Transition Window

• Every year spent investing in more fossil fuel infrastructure is a year lost in making the renewable energy transition viable. More drilling locks in fossil fuel dependence for decades, delaying investments in solar, wind, and energy storage.

• The fossil fuel industry is notorious for using short-term crises to justify long-term expansion, keeping the world locked into its infrastructure.

4. Health and Social Justice Issues

• Communities near drilling sites, particularly Indigenous and marginalized communities, suffer from higher rates of respiratory illness, cancer, and contaminated water.

• The geopolitical instability that comes with oil dependency often leads to military interventions, economic disparities, and human rights abuses.

How Can We Resist While There’s Still Time?

1. Public Pressure & Political Engagement

• Call and email representatives to demand investment in renewable energy instead of new drilling projects. Even if they don’t listen, showing public resistance matters.

• Vote at all levels—local, state, and national—for candidates who are serious about the climate crisis.

2. Divestment & Economic Pressure

• Move money away from banks and investment funds that heavily finance fossil fuel projects. Support renewable energy investments instead.

• Boycott companies with heavy stakes in new drilling operations.

3. Direct Action & Protest

• Support frontline groups, such as Indigenous activists and environmental organizations, who have successfully stopped pipelines and drilling projects before.

• Participate in demonstrations, climate strikes, and civil disobedience efforts.

4. Local Resilience & Alternative Infrastructure

• Push for community solar, wind, and energy efficiency programs to lessen dependence on fossil fuels.

• Support public transportation, biking infrastructure, and electric vehicle adoption to reduce demand for oil.

Key Things to Keep in Mind & Educate Others On

• The fossil fuel industry thrives on misinformation. Many of the jobs created by drilling are temporary, while renewable energy provides more long-term stability.

• The climate crisis isn’t just about the environment—it’s about justice, health, and global stability.

• We don’t have unlimited time to act. Every additional investment in fossil fuels makes the necessary transition away from them harder and more costly.

• Local action matters. Cities and states have the power to block projects, regulate pollution, and invest in green solutions, even when federal policies push the opposite direction.

Long-Term Implications If This Continues

• Climate tipping points could become irreversible, leading to catastrophic warming, extreme weather, and mass displacement.

• The U.S. risks being left behind in the global energy transition. Countries investing in renewables will dominate future energy markets while we remain dependent on outdated systems.

• Fossil fuel infrastructure expansion could become a financial burden. As the world shifts away, these investments could become stranded assets, costing taxpayers billions.

We still have time, but it requires collective action, education, and resistance. What specific angles interest you most in tackling this?

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