The topic of fracking and the oil industry in the United States has been one of the more controversial conversations. Debates between those employed in this industry versus environmentalists is not new. However, politics aside, the oil industry has undoubtedly contributed to climate change. These oil companies have profited off of selling and burning large amounts of coal, oil, and gas. Furthermore, some experts have come to find that on public lands alone, the oil industry is expected to emit a massive amount of carbin emissions. 

1. Large amounts of fossil fuels 
   1. It’s a relatively obvious fact that the oil industry is responsible for burning oil, coal, and gas which is one of the leading causes for this negative climate change. In order to at least slow this process, we have to first stop burning fossil fuels and convert to renewable energy. While those employed in this industry may feel panicked by this idea, they fail to realize that there are plenty of jobs in the green energy industry. 

2. System change is required to stay within the 1.5 degrees C. of warming. 

1. 1. According to the United Nations Emissions Gas report, global greenhouse gas emissions need to drop by 7.6 percent each year to keep warming under 1.5 degrees celsius. With that being said, the oil industry has been reported to produce 120% more oil, gas, and coal by 2030. This is a detriment. However, in order to stay below this warming, governments need to act now by not allowing the licensing and permitting of new oil fields and gas wells, begin to develop phase out plans, etc. 

3. The oil industry has been aware of the climate crisis for decades.

1. 1. This reason might be off-putting for those who support the industry. However, this reason also eliminates any plausible deniability from companies like Exxon. Investigations have recently found that these companies were doing research into carbon emissions and were well aware of the dangers of rising global temperatures. This issue is not just the fault of the companies, but also the fault of the government as they have allowed and supported this industry from its inception. Furthermore, it has been found that this industry is also partly responsible for the spread of pseudo science concerning the very tangible affects the oil industry has on the climate. 

4. Environmental racism is driven by the oil industry

1. 1. Families of color are hit the hardest by the oil industry due to the climate impacts the industry causes to the environment. Power plants, toxic wastes sites, and pipelines that pollute the drinking water are more often than not placed in areas where the community has little economic or political power. Additionally, race and poverty have been correlated with being significantly more exposed to air pollution caused by the oil and gas industry.

Conclusion

Phasing out the oil industry is one of many ways that we as a society need to do in order to halt the Earth’s warming. It goes beyond politics and the economy at this point. Overall, despite the rhetoric being used to say otherwise, there are several other alternatives to oil and gas.