Many current political statutes and regulation do not promote a necessary concern for our environment. The environment is often only seen as a commodity and is exploited for human use. As a 501 c4 nonprofit organization, Earth Action takes a greater approach in implementing Earth Ethics mission by involving ourselves in advocacy, lobbying, and political activity. With Earth Action we strive to change current political regulations and push for policies that take into consideration the welfare and safety of the environment.

Due to our current workload, we are unable to continuously post our ongoing actions. If you are interested in learning more about Earth Action campaigns, email earthethicsaction@gmail.com or like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/earthethics/?ref=bookmarks

Stop the Money Pipeline

The financial sector is funding, insuring, and investing in the climate crisis. Stopping this money pipeline is one of the most important ways we can address the climate emergency. The Stop the Money Pipeline coalition is over 130 organizations strong. Together we are holding the financial backers of climate chaos accountable. Earth Action is part of a national collaborative to address the issues associated with these concerns. Visit www.stopthemoneypipeline.com to learn more.

Build Back Fossil Free

Fossil fuel pollution and climate disasters are already disrupting millions of lives. We deserve a world beyond fossil fuels: a world in which workers’ rights, community health, and our shared climate come before corporate profits. That’s why we — hundreds of groups representing millions of people across the country fighting for climate, racial, and economic justice — are coming together to ensure Biden becomes the climate president he promised to be. Earth Action is part of this national collaborative to ensure we build back fossil free. Learn more at #BuildBackFossilFree

Defend the Gulf

Made up of individuals and organizations based in the Gulf South and Global South, this collaborative works to protect communities and the Gulf of Mexico from harm. We are standing up against petrochemical facilities, oil and gas exploration and drilling, plastic manufacturing, liquified natural gas (LNG), and other industries that do us harm. Learn more at Defend the Gulf.

Oil and Gas Exploratory and Drilling Applications

Apalachicola Riverkeeper Files Legal Challenge to Block Oil Drilling Permit

“Apalachicola, FL –– Apalachicola Riverkeeper announced a legal challenge to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Notice of Intent to issue a permit to Clearwater Land and Minerals FLA, LLC. This permit would allow exploratory oil and gas drilling within the floodplain and adjacent to the Apalachicola River. Apalachicola Riverkeeper will be asking an administrative law judge to issue a recommended order to deny the permit based on several factors, including the potential damage to the river, its surrounding ecosystems, and local economies.” – https://apalachicolariverkeeper.org/oil-gas-drilling-in-apalachicola-river-floodplain/

Please consider making a donation so they can continue this important fight. At the link above, you can read about the intent to issue permit, about their petition for an administrative hearing, and how you can donate to the cause!  There was a widely successful press conference (aka opposition event) held on Monday, December 9^th in Tallahassee where the kickoff of the administration has begun. Here are some of the news coverage that it received (hopefully there is no paywalls):

On government’s front steps, Big Bend environmentalists oppose exploratory oil drilling

Groups protest oil drilling in Florida OK’d by DeSantis administration

On government’s front steps, Big Bend environmentalists oppose exploratory oil drilling

Earth Action is working hard to provide comments in opposition to numerous existing permit applications for Oil and Gas exploration and drilling in Northwest Florida. Visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/mines/oil_gas/drill-apps.htm  to learn about all the current applications and permits.

Unfortunately, it’s business as usual for the FDEP, “Enclosed is a copy of the executed transfer of permit for the referenced project. The transfer of this permit to Clearwater Land & Minerals FLA, LLC is hereby approved and effective as of the date of this letter. Please attach a copy of this letter and the enclosed transfer of permit to your permit and make them available on site during construction. When referring to this project, please use the permit number indicated.” Read more here  OCULUS – Search Results, 

Gulf of Mexico Five-Year Leasing Plan

As part of this plan, several areas within the Central and Western Planning Areas, Lease Sales 259 and 261, will be “auctioned” for oil and gas exploration and drilling. You can see the map of Lease areas here. Lease Sale 259 is scheduled to be held in March 2023. In addition, “On Jan. 9, 2023, BOEM announced it has prepared a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for two Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sales: Lease Sales 259 and 261, which are being held pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act and inform the decisionmaker on impacts from a representative lease sale, mitigations, and other action alternatives. According to Mr. John Filostrat, Bureau Ocean Energy Management, Office of Communications, there is no public comment for the Final EIS since there was a public comment period for the draft EIS (held in October 2022).  You can read about the Final EIS here: https://www.boem.gov/GoM-Sales-259-and-261-SEIS

Florida’s Offhore Protection

In 2018,  Amendment 9 passed in Florida’s midterm election adding a ban on offshore drilling in state waters to the state’s Constitution. The ballot initiative received approximately 68 percent of the vote, as Floridians across the state voiced their support for protecting our coasts.

The ban prohbibits drilling for exploration or extraction for both oil and gas in Florida’s state waters, which extend three nautical miles from the shore on the Atlantic coast and nine nautical miles on the Gulf coast.  More specifically, “To protect the people of Florida and their environment, drilling for exploration or extraction of oil or natural gas is prohibited on lands beneath all state waters which have not been alienated and that lie between the mean high water line and the outermost boundaries of the state’s territorial seas. This prohibition does not apply to the transportation of oil and gas products produced outside of such waters. This subsection is self-executing.”

In 2020, a decade-long ban on oil drilling off the coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina was issued. The moratorium for not drilling off the coast of Florida was set to expire in June 2022. The moratorium is now set to expire in 2032. Learn more here .