Fossil Fuel Foolishness Persists but the Resistance is Rising
The global economy operates on a foundational injustice: treating Black communities, and other frontline communities and Global South nations, as sacrifice zones. Our communities have disproportionately dealt with decades of disenfranchisement, disinvestment, and displacement. We continue to feel the worst effects of climate change and increased toxins in the environment.
Fossil Fueled Foolery 3.0 (FFF 3.0) exposes the tricks and traps set by polluting industries, including the false choices they routinely present to Black communities. It’s April Fool’s Day, but the situation is no joke!
Read the full blog post on Island Press.
Also make sure to watch this short video to hear directly from the environmental justice leaders on the frontlines of the rising resistance!
We are also pleased to present a Foolery and Victories Tracker!
The information will be updated on an ongoing basis as more submissions come in. We are deeply grateful for the partners who have contributed so far.
Foolery
U.S. Domestic
Misinformation tactics aimed at restaurants:
DEI rollbacks:
2022 example of DTE Energy routing dark-money funding to the Livermore Lab in an apparent gambit to promote “California Carbon Storage” among Environmental Justice communities in the California Central Valley:
During droughts, Californians are asked not to water their lawns and take short showers. Meanwhile, the California oil and gas industry consumed nearly 3 billion gallons of freshwater for drilling operations between 2018 and early 2021.
Manipulating the false appearance of support and tying fossil fuel causes to poverty:
- https://energyandpolicy.org/centerpoint-builder-incentives-gas-appliances/
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/21/new-home-builder-contractor-fossil-fuel-utilities-natural-gas
Gas pipeline industry trying to co-opt black pastors into supporting projects:
EnPAC, front group created by Consumer Energy Alliance (fossil PR/lobby org) aimed at convincing people of color that gas is good (and more so manipulating the appearance of that sentiment):
How gas utilities used Habitat for Humanity to manipulate the idea that gas is important for affordable housing was similarly on point:
Utilities Political Spending: In Michigan, nonprofit entities linked to Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, Citizens for Energizing Michigan’s Economy, and Michigan Energy First, respectively, flexed their financial and political muscles by investing nearly $9.5 million in the 2022 election alone.
Moving Campaign Contributions: In 2023, after a major ice storm caused extended power outages for Michigan families, sparking public outrage and pressure for state lawmakers to pass legislation to hold DTE Energy accountable, the investor-owned utility gave $176,000 to state lawmakers’ political campaigns.
Global
Mexico: Fracking push
- Pemex is expanding fracking to boost shale gas production and reduce reliance on U.S. imports.
- Impacts: Water contamination, increased methane emissions, risks to rural and Indigenous communities.
- Source: https://energy-analytics-institute.org/2025/08/07/mexico-pivots-towards-fracking-to-lift-pemex-oil-and-gas-production/
Australia: Gas expansion & methane risk
- Santos is developing large-scale fracking in the Beetaloo Basin.
- Impacts: Methane leakage accelerating climate change, groundwater contamination, risks to local communities.
- Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/27/santos-gas-plan-beetaloo-basin-northern-territory-fracking-fears
Guyana: Rapid oil expansion
- Consortium is scaling up offshore oil production with multiple new projects.
- Impacts: Increased global emissions, oil spill risks, economic dependence on fossil fuels despite short-term growth.
- Source: https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/news/news-releases/2025/0808_exxonmobil-guyana-begins-production-at-fourth-offshore-guyana-project
VICTORIES – WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!
U.S. Domestic
- We Want Green Too, Soulardarity, and their allies: In a settlement agreement with DTE Energy, they won $8 million to support community-led energy efficiency, home repair, and weatherization projects for low-income residents (Michigan, 2023). https://michiganadvance.com/2023/07/26/mpsc-approves-settlement-describing-dtes-operations-for-next-20-years/
Global
United Kingdom
A court ruled approval of the Rosebank oilfield unlawful, stopping the project from moving forward until full climate impacts are assessed.
- Impact: Delays one of the UK’s largest new oil projects; sets legal precedent on emissions accountability.
- Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/30/rosebank-oilfield-jackdaw-decision-unlawful-edinburgh-court
Guyana
Corentyne oil block license dispute/cancellation. Government moved to cancel or challenge the oil license for the Corentyne block.
- Impact: Delays development of a major new offshore oil project.
- Source: https://www.ogj.com/exploration-development/article/55267269/guyana-cancels-corentyne-block-license