At the beginning of May, the Biden administration canceled proposed offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Cook Inlet. Selling new offshore leases to oil companies would have set the stage for more risky drilling and more greenhouse gas emissions—but would have done nothing to alleviate high gas prices. Ocean Conservancy applauds this decision. Stopping these lease sales was, indeed, the right call.

The climate crisis poses an existential threat to our planet. Business-as-usual is no longer an option. Calling a halt to proposed new offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Cook Inlet was a vital step in ongoing efforts to meet our climate goals, protect coastal communities and economies and safeguard our ocean and coasts.

We’re facing a climate crisis

Saying “no” to risky offshore oil is a vital step in our transition to a renewable energy future. We must transition—rapidly and responsibly—from fossil fuel production to renewable energy sources.

There is no room for new offshore oil and gas leasing in our clean energy future.

Please take a minute to join Ocean Conservancy in thanking President Biden for this ocean victory.