New decision from President Biden on natural gas protects Latinos from climate change

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Biden administration announced pausing the construction of fossil fuel export facilities until their climate impact can be analyzed, a decision that will prevent at least nearly 200 million tons of planet-heating emissions causing climate change. 

Several studies have shown that natural gas leaks large quantities of methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a harmful air pollutant, and it is 87 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

Only this past year, the United States experienced 25 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, the largest number since records began, with 2023 becoming the hottest year in a century. More than 481 people died from climate-related events. 

Latinos disproportionately face the impacts of climate change. According to the EPA, Latinos in the U.S. are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to experience heat waves, powerful hurricanes, sea level rise, and floods. Natural disasters can exacerbate poverty and even lead to housing abandonment, especially in low-income and minority neighborhoods.

“President Biden is protecting our families from climate change. He has done more to hold Big Oil accountable for fueling the climate crisis than any other president,” said Climate Power En Accion Deputy Executive Director Antonieta Cadiz. “The president’s action today is a historic move to protect the health and economic security, it will not only prevent toxic pollution but also prevent increasing our energy costs. It is real leadership and a stark contrast to the direction Donald Trump wants to take the country, where drill baby drill is the motto. ”

This is far from President Biden’s only effort to hold Big Oil accountable. In December, the Biden Administration announced new rules to reduce methane gas emissions by 80 percent. The President has also moved to protect more public lands from drilling and committed billions to help families access affordable clean energy.