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The Progressive


NEWSWIRE

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
December, 09 2024, 04:52pm EDT
Monday December, 09 2024, 04:52pm EDT
Oil Change International
Contact:

Valentina Stackl, valentina@priceofoil.org




NORWAY KEEPS PROMISE TO END INTERNATIONAL FINANCE FOR FOSSIL FUELS, BOOSTING
HOPES OF OECD DEAL TOMORROW


OSLO


OSLO - The Norwegian government today published its policy to align its
financing with the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP, sometimes called
the Glasgow Statement), fulfilling a promise it made a year ago to end the use
of Norwegian government finance to fund fossil fuel projects abroad.

At the COP28 UN climate summit in Dubai, Norway signed the Clean Energy
Transition Partnership, committing to end its international public finance for
fossil fuel projects within a year. Recent research shows the CETP is working,
with most signatories eliminating or considerably reducing their international
fossil fuel financing. Collectively, signatories cut their international public
finance for fossil fuels by up to two thirds since signing the agreement, a drop
of USD 15 billion a year. Norway’s new policy will contribute to this progress.

Norway’s new policy will end the government’s public finance for fossil fuel
projects overseas, which largely comes from its government export credit agency,
Eksfin – although the policy does not appear to address the role that Eksfin
plays in providing financing to the Norwegian state oil company, Equinor.
Between July 2021 and June 2023, Eksfin provided between NOK 8.78 billion and
10.98 billion ($749 – 993 million) for fossil fuel projects. In 2023, Eksfin
provided NOK 3.7 billion ($334 million) in support for the controversial Sakarya
oil and gas field in Turkey. Phase 1 of the Sakarya field, which Eksfin helped
to enable by providing Norwegian government backing, is expected to emit 140
million tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime, approximately equivalent to the annual
emissions of 37 coal plants.

While Norway’s climate policies are in the spotlight for both national and
international critique in many other areas – not least its status as one of only
five Global North governments responsible for a majority of the entire world’s
planned expansion of new oil and gas fields through 2050 – the publication of
the Norwegian CETP policy is important progress. Norway must build on this
progress to ensure a comprehensive approach to phasing out oil and gas in line
with the 1.5C temperature rise limit.

The publication of Norway’s policy helps increase momentum for a global, binding
deal that can end $41 billion a year in oil and gas export financing at the
OECD, where Norway will be among countries partaking in final negotiations
tomorrow (Tuesday, 10th December). With the EU, US, UK, Canada, Norway,
Australia and New Zealand all supporting fossil fuel restrictions a deal is
within reach. This would free up significant sums in public money for clean
energy instead.

A deal would be difficult to undo by any one country, making this a last
opportunity for President Biden to reach a ‘Trump-proof’ climate deal. With
Norway aligning its financing with the CETP, this creates a further incentive
for Norway and other CETP countries to create binding OECD rules restricting
export finance for fossil fuels from all OECD countries, creating a ‘level
playing field’ for trade. Reportedly, Korea and Turkiye are the last countries
that still need to be convinced to support the agreement.

Adam McGibbon, Campaign Strategist at Oil Change International, said:
“Norway’s decision to honor its pledge to end international oil and gas
financing is a crucial domino falling at exactly the right moment. Tomorrow’s
OECD negotiations represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redirect $41
billion in annual oil and gas export finance toward cleaner energy. With Trump
looming on the horizon, this could be our last chance to lock in climate
progress that would be difficult to reverse.

“Prime Minister Støre must now urgently contact his Korean and Turkish
counterparts, the last holdouts at the OECD, to encourage them to ensure a
historic deal is reached that helps accelerate the energy transition and secures
a liveable planet for all.”




Oil Change International is a research, communications, and advocacy
organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating
the ongoing transition to clean energy.

(202) 518-9029
www.priceofoil.org

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LATEST NEWS



NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR SIGNS FREEDOM TO READ ACT BARRING BOOK BANS

THE LAW, SAID THE DEMOCRAT, "CEMENTS NEW JERSEY'S ROLE ON THE FOREFRONT OF
PREVENTING BOOK BANS AND PROTECTING THE INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM OF OUR EDUCATORS
AND STUDENTS."


Brett Wilkins
Dec 09, 2024

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed legislation protecting
librarians and prohibiting public schools and libraries from banning books—a
move that came as Republican state lawmakers are proscribing a record number of
titles, many of them works addressing sexual orientation, gender identity, and
racial injustice.

Flanked by educators, librarians, and other advocates, Murphy signed
A.3446/S.2421—known as the Freedom to Read Act—in the Princeton Public Library.




"The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jersey's role on the forefront of
preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators
and students," said Murphy. "Across the nation, we have seen attempts to
suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. I'm proud to amplify
the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children
to prepare for the future than to read freely."

> — (@)

According to a statement from Murphy's office:

> Under the law, boards of education and governing boards of public libraries
> are barred from excluding books because of the origin, background, or views of
> the material or of its authors. Further, boards of education and governing
> boards of public libraries are prevented from censoring library material based
> on a disagreement with a viewpoint, idea, or concept, or solely because an
> individual finds certain content offensive, unless they are restricting access
> to developmentally inappropriate material for certain age groups.

The legislation "also provides protections for library staff members against
civil and criminal lawsuits related to complying with this law."

New Jersey Association of School Librarians President Karen Grant said that "the
Freedom to Read Act recognizes the professionalism, honor, work ethics, and
performance of school and public library staff" and "promotes libraries as
trusted sources of information and recognizes the many roles that libraries play
in students' lives."

> — (@)

"The bill will protect the intellectual freedom of students as well as
acknowledge that school libraries are centers for voluntary inquiry, fostering
students' growth and development," Grant added. "Additionally, we are grateful
for the broad coalition of support from so many organizations for this
legislation."

The leader of one of those groups—Garden State Equality executive director
Christian Fuscarino—said, "Gov. Murphy just made it clear: In New Jersey,
censorship loses, and freedom wins."

"At a time when access to diverse and inclusive materials is under attack across
the nation, this legislation sends a powerful message that New Jersey will stand
firm in protecting intellectual freedom and fostering a culture of understanding
and inclusion," Fuscarino added.

The New Jersey law comes amid a near-tripling in the number of books banned or
challenged by Republican state lawmakers and right-wing organizations over the
past year, with PEN America counting over 10,000 such titles during the 2023-24
academic year—up from 3,362 titles during the previous scholastic year.

With Murphy's signature, New Jersey joins Minnesota and Illinois in passing
state legislation to counter GOP book-banning efforts.

As the Chicago Tribunereported Sunday, "a number of school districts, many of
them in deeply conservative areas of south and central Illinois," are giving up
state grants rather than adopting principles against book-banning."



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education



'COMPLETELY UN-AMERICAN': PROGRESSIVES SLAM TRUMP PLAN TO END BIRTHRIGHT
CITIZENSHIP

"EMBOLDENED BY A SUPREME COURT THAT WOULD USE ITS POWER TO UPHOLD WHITE
SUPREMACY RATHER THAN THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR NATION, TRUMP IS ON A MISSION TO
WEAKEN THE VERY SOUL OF OUR NATION," SAID REP. DELIA RAMIREZ.


Jessica Corbett
Dec 09, 2024

Progressives in Congress and other migrant rights advocates sharply criticized
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for his comments on immigration during a
Sunday interview, including on his hopes to end birthright citizenship.

During a 76-minute interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker, Trump said he
"absolutely" intends to end birthright citizenship, potentially through
executive order, despite the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Among many
lies the Republican told, he also falsely claimed that the United States is the
only country to offer citizenship by birth; in fact, there are dozens.



In response, outgoing Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal
(D-Wash.) said on social media Monday: "This is completely un-American. The 14th
Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship. Trump cannot unilaterally end it,
and any attempt to do so would be both unconstitutional and immoral."


Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) similarly stressed that "birthright
citizenship is enshrined in the Constitution as a cornerstone of American
ideals. It reflects our belief that America is the land of opportunity. Sadly,
this is just another in the long line of Trump's assault on the U.S.
Constitution."

> — (@)

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, said in a
statement: "'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free.' It is important to remember who we are, where many of us came
from, and why many of our families traveled here to be greeted by the Mother of
Exiles, the Statue of Liberty."


Ramirez argued that "the story of our nation wouldn't be complete without the
sweat, tears, joy, dreams, and hopes of so many children of immigrants who are
citizens by birthright and pride themselves on being AMERICANS. It is the story
of so many IL-03 communities, strengthened by the immigration of people from
Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Mexico, and Guatemala, among others. It is the story of
many members of Congress who can point to the citizenship of their forebears and
ancestors because of immigration and birthright."


"Let's be clear: Trump is posing the question of who gets to be an American to
our nation. And given that today's migrants are from Africa, Asia, the
Caribbean, and Latin and Central America, it is clear he is questioning who are
the 'right' people to benefit from birthright citizenship," she continued.
"Questioning birthright citizenship is anti-American, and eliminating it through
executive action is unconstitutional. Donald Trump knows that."


"But emboldened by a Supreme Court that would use its power to uphold white
supremacy rather than the Constitution of our nation, Trump is on a mission to
weaken the very soul of our nation," she warned. "I—like many sons and daughters
of immigrants and first-generation Americans—believe in and fight for a land of
freedom, opportunities, and equality. To live into that promise, we must stand
against white nationalism—especially when it is espoused at the highest levels
of government."

Although Republicans are set to control both the U.S. Senate and the House of
Representatives next year, amending the Constitution requires support from
two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and three-fourths of the state
legislatures, meaning that process is unlikely to be attempted for this policy.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) highlighted the difficulties of passing
constitutional amendments while discussing Trump in a Monday appearance on CNN.
The incoming chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus was born in the
Dominican Republic and is the first formerly undocumented immigrant elected to
Congress.

> — (@)

As Mother Jones reporter Isabela Dias detailed Monday:

> Critics of ending birthright citizenship for the U.S.-born children of
> undocumented immigrants argue it would not only constitute bad policy, but
> also a betrayal of American values and, as one scholar put it to me, a
> "prelude" to mass deportation.
> 
> "It's really 100 years of accepted interpretation," Hiroshi Motomura, a
> scholar of immigration and citizenship at UCLA's law school, told me of
> birthright citizenship. Ending birthright citizenship would cut at the core of
> the hard-fought assurance of equal treatment under the law, he said,
> "basically drawing a line between two kinds of American citizens."

Trump's NBC interview also addressed his long-promised mass deportations. The
president-elect—whose first administration was globally condemned for separating
migrant families at the southern border and second administration is already
filling up with hard-liners—suggested Sunday that he would deport children who
are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents.

"I don't want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don't break up the
family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back," Trump told
Welker.

> — (@)

Responding in a Monday statement, America's Voice executive director Vanessa
Cárdenas said, "There's a growing consensus that the Trump mass deportation
agenda will hit American consumers and industries hard, but the scope of what
Trump and his team are proposing goes well beyond the economic impact."

"Trump and allies are making clear their mass deportation agenda will include
deporting U.S. citizens, including children, while aiming to gut a century and a
half of legal and moral precedent on birthright citizenship," she added. "In
total, their attacks go well beyond the narrow lens of immigration to the
fundamental question of who gets to be an American."


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donald trump



GREEN, INDIGENOUS GROUPS WARNS ARCTIC STILL AT GRAVE DRILLING RISK WHEN TRUMP
RETURNS

"DRILLING FOR OIL IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IS ALL RISK WITH NO
REWARD," SAID ONE ADVOCATE.


Julia Conley
Dec 09, 2024

Wildlife protection groups and Indigenous leaders in Alaska said Monday that
they would push to discourage bidding in an oil and gas lease sale just
announced by the U.S. Interior Department for part of the Arctc National
Wildlife Refuge.

Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which opened the refuge for oil and gas
drilling, the Biden administration announced the second of two lease sales, set
to be held on January 9, 2025.



The first Trump administration held the initial lease sale in 2021, but with
banks and insurance companies increasingly reticent to back drilling projects in
the area, it generated little interest and led to less than 1% of the projected
sale revenue.

> — (@)

Releasing its final record of decision, the Interior Department said Monday that
400,000 acres of wilderness in the refuge's 1.6-million-acre northwest Coastal
Plain would be put up for bidding at a minimum price of $30 per acre—despite
vocal opposition from the Gwich'in Nation and the Iñupiat Alaska Natives.

The land supports local communities as well as porcupine caribou herds and polar
bears.


"Our way of life, our food security, and our spiritual well-being is directly
tied to the health of the caribou and the health of this irreplaceable
landscape," Kristen Moreland, executive director of Gwich'in Steering Committee,
toldBloomberg News. "Every oil company stayed away from the first lease sale,
and we expect them to do the same during the second."

The record of decision concludes the Bureau of Land Management's process for
developing a supplemental environmental impact statement, which was required
after President-elect Donald Trump's first administration completed an analysis
with "fundamental flaws and legal errors," as the Sierra Club said Monday.


Selling the drilling rights just before Trump takes office could complicate the
GOP's plans to hold a more expansive sale later on, but Dan Ritzman, director of
Sierra Club's Conservation Campaign, emphasized that regardless of who is in
office when the sale takes place, "oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge
is a direct threat to some of the last untouched landscapes on Alaska's North
Slope and to the caribou herds that the Gwich'in people rely on."

"The 2017 tax act, forced through Congress by Donald Trump and his Big Oil CEO
allies, opened up the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing," said Ritzman.
"Letting him oversee a lease sale over these pristine lands would be beyond
irresponsible. In the meantime, President [Joe] Biden should listen to the
Gwich'in and do all that he can to preserve these lands and waters. His legacy
is on the line."

Erik Grafe, an attorney at environmental law firm Earthjustice, said the group
is "committed to going to court as often as necessary to defend the Arctic
Refuge from oil drilling and will work toward a more sustainable future that
does not depend on ever-expanding oil extraction."

"Drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is all risk with no
reward," said Grafe. "Oil drilling would destroy this beautiful land, held
sacred by Gwich'in people, and would further destabilize the global climate, but
it offers zero benefit to taxpayers or consumers."

Defenders of Wildlife called on Congress to repeal the 2017 tax law's mandate
for leasing sales in the "iconic American landscape" of the Arctic Refuge.

"Turning the coastal plain into an oilfield will obliterate the pristine
wilderness of the Arctic Refuge," said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Alaska senior
program director for the group, "directly threatening the future of the
Porcupine caribou herd and the physical, cultural, and spiritual existence of
the Gwich'in people who depend on them."

Keep Reading
News
arctic national wildlife refuge


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