Speech 2 Rough Draft

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**Speech: Transitioning to a Sustainable Future: A Call for Change in Fossil Fuel Extraction**
**Introduction:**
Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone.
My name is Hoa and I’m here because I care about the future of our environment. I believe we
have the power, the resources, and the innovation to change the course of history. We are at a
crossroads, and the decision we make today will determine the world we leave for future
generations. The issue at hand is one of urgent importance: the extraction of fossil fuels and its
devastating impact on our environment. This is not just an issue for distant shores, for industrial
factories or far-off oil rigs. No, this issue touches every one of us, from the air we breathe to the
climate we depend on, from the jobs we hold to the economies we rely on.
We live in a world where the demand for energy has led us to extract more and more from the
Earth. Fossil fuel extraction, the process of drilling for oil, mining for coal, and extracting natural
gas, is deeply embedded in our global economy. Yet, as we dig deeper into the Earth’s crust, we
must ask: what is the true cost of these actions?
The environmental and social damage caused by this cycle of extraction is described as “a
system of inequality,” where the benefits of extraction rarely make it back to the communities
that bear the brunt of its consequences. The extraction industry is not just harming our planet; it
is exacerbating social inequality, perpetuating cycles of poverty, and depriving future generations
of the resources they need to survive.
And the problem isn't just economic—it's environmental. Fossil fuel extraction is the leading
cause of global climate change. Fossil fuel extraction and consumption “release immense
volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming at a pace the planet
can no longer afford.” Our planet is experiencing more extreme weather events, rising sea levels,
and devastating wildfires—all of which are consequences of our unsustainable reliance on fossil
fuels.
There are competing solutions to this crisis. On one side, we have the powerful fossil fuel
industry, which continues to assert that the status quo is necessary for economic stability. Fossil
fuels, they argue, remain essential to global energy systems, and transitioning to renewables too
quickly would lead to economic chaos and loss of jobs.
On the other side, we have those advocating for immediate action to combat climate
change—people like Chuck Collins, who ask whether we can reframe the global economy to
prioritize sustainability over extraction. He argues that we must transition from an economy
based on fossil fuels to one that is powered by clean, renewable energy, and that this shift can
actually create new jobs and new opportunities for communities.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the energy sector is responsible for nearly
75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This stark statistic underscores the need for urgent
action. If we are to meet the goals set by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C,
we must significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to
renewable energy. In fact, the IEA has estimated that in order to meet this target, global
investment in clean energy technologies needs to increase by 5% per year until 2030. The
numbers are clear: fossil fuels are the problem, and renewable energy is the solution.
The question is: Which of these paths will lead us to a sustainable future?
I believe the answer is clear. A transition to renewable energy, the promotion of circular
economies, and the implementation of stronger environmental regulations are the solutions we
need. The first solution is already gaining ground, and it’s time for the rest of the world to follow.
Let me provide you with some compelling evidence of why transitioning away from fossil fuel
extraction is not just a moral imperative, but a practical and necessary one.
In this case study Denmark has become a global leader in renewable energy. As of 2023, nearly
50% of Denmark’s electricity is generated from wind power. This shift has led to a significant
reduction in the country’s carbon emissions, while simultaneously creating thousands of new
jobs in the clean energy sector. This success is a testament to the fact that economies can thrive
on renewable energy. As Chuck Collins emphasizes, "We have the opportunity to build an
economy based on the well-being of all people and the sustainability of the planet." Denmark has
proven this is possible.

Dr. James Hansen, former director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has been a
vocal advocate for a carbon tax and stronger climate action. He has stated that “fossil fuels are
the main driver of global warming, and we must leave the majority of known fossil fuel reserves
untouched to avoid catastrophic climate impacts.” Hansen’s expertise highlights the urgent need
for policy reforms and a shift to sustainable energy sources to avoid further damage to our
climate.
We should also think about the people who are affected directly by the extraction of fossil fuels
such as the communities in the Appalachian region of the United States, where mountaintop
removal mining has devastated local landscapes and poisoned drinking water. Residents have
reported higher rates of respiratory illnesses, cancer, and birth defects, all linked to the
environmental degradation caused by fossil fuel extraction. These communities bear a
disproportionate burden of the cost of energy production, and their plight serves as a powerful
reminder of the human cost of fossil fuel extraction.
Now, some may argue that transitioning away from fossil fuels will be too costly and lead to
massive job losses. They may point to the immediate financial challenges posed by such a shift.
However, this is a short-sighted view. The reality is that the renewable energy sector is already
creating more jobs than the fossil fuel industry. In fact, the International Renewable Energy
Agency (IRENA) reported that in 2020, the renewable energy sector employed 12 million people
globally—more than twice the number employed by the fossil fuel sector. Moreover, studies
show that every dollar spent on clean energy creates far more jobs than a dollar spent on fossil
fuels. The transition to a green economy is not only feasible; it is a job-creating opportunity that
we cannot afford to pass up.
The future of our planet, our economies, and our communities depends on the choices we make
today. By investing in renewable energy, embracing circular economies, and enacting stronger
environmental regulations, we can create a sustainable future that benefits both people and the
planet.
As Chuck Collins so eloquently states, “We can earn a living on a living planet.” The shift to a
clean, renewable energy future is not just a possibility—it’s a necessity.
We have to act now, before it’s too late. To move beyond the destructive cycle of extraction, and
embrace a future where sustainability and prosperity go hand in hand.
Thank you.

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Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone.

must ask: what is the true cost of these actions?

of the resources they need to survive.

quickly would lead to economic chaos and loss of jobs.

actually create new jobs and new opportunities for communities.

proven this is possible.

environmental degradation caused by fossil fuel extraction. These communities bear a

reminder of the human cost of fossil fuel extraction.

we cannot afford to pass up.

clean, renewable energy future is not just a possibility—it’s a necessity.

embrace a future where sustainability and prosperity go hand in hand.

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