A campaign dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels and stopping oil drilling in California!
Check out more of our past actions HERE!
BIG WIN: Safe and Healthy California Resolution
In 2022, our campaign was delighted to hear of the passed law Senate Bill 1137, which guaranteed vital 3200 foot setbacks between oil drilling sites and neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and anywhere people inhabit. However, due to a rigorous misinformation campaign set up by Big Oil companies that gathered enough signatures to turn it into a ballot referendum for November 2024, Youth v. Oil fought to educate Californians in order to assure the safety and health of the two million people exposed to the most toxic emissions, of which 92% are disproportionately BIPOC and low income.
We won! After months of advocacy and activism from grassroots organizations and frontline communities, Big Oil withdrew its referendum to overturn the oil setback law on June 26th. Youth v. Oil worked tirelessly to pass resolutions at five city councils in San Diego County and to educate voters about the referendum, doing its part in the bigger movement throughout California.
'Stop, Drop and Roll' Resolution
Starting in 2020, our campaign saw the issue of oil drilling in California and knew legislative action was key to mitigating its impacts on Californians. As a result, we created a petition, with the major asks being to:
1) STOP issuing further oil and gas permits
2) DROP all existing permits
3) ROLL out 3,200 ft. buffer zones between excavation sites and where humans inhabit
All of these aspects of our resolution are pertinent in order to protect the lives of those who live and work in California, allowing for a livable future and a just transition from a life dependent on fossil fuels.
Background
Oil drilling, especially its most dangerous forms such as hydraulic fracking poses a large threat to our communities. Not only is the oil extraction process dangerous, but the pollution of the burning of fossil fuels can be fatal. Even worse, fossil fuels are the main contributor to our current climate crisis and severely endangers current and future generations.
On April 23rd, 2021, CA Governor Newsom announced his plans to ban fracking by 2024 and end oil drilling by 2045. However, not only does it exclude a comprehensive plan that prioritizes BIPOC and low-income communities, but it fails to address fossil fuel extraction with the urgency that the climate crisis calls for.
Founding Members!
Current Members!
About Us
A group of passionate high school students organizing a campaign dedicated to urging Governor Newsom to stop issuing new oil and gas permits, begin justly phasing oil extraction and create 3,200 ft buffer zones now!
We started Youth v. Oil in the summer of 2020 and since then we have been taking action in our community! Our goal is to collectively apply pressure on the Governor by getting school districts across California to sign our resolution. In addition, YvO puts climate justice work at the core of our campaign in order to stand in solidarity with the frontline communities most impacted by oil drilling. By educating San Diegans’ about oil extraction, we hope to create an intergenerational movement against the fossil fuel industry to mitigate the climate crisis.
Teams
Media Team: This team works to make social media posts on our Instagram and TikTok to spread awareness, promote our actions, and engage with more youth!
Legislative Team: This team works to endorse different bills and meet with elected officials to lobby for climate action.
Our Resolution
Our End Oil Drilling resolution is a key aspect of our campaign. We have taken this resolution and passed it at various school based entities, such as the San Diego Unified School District, Sweetwater Unified School District, UCSB, UC Berkeley, and the County Board of Education.
We also work with students across the state working to pass the resolution through their school districts as a part of our Climate Mentees program. If you’re interested in learning more, or being a part of this campaign, please visit our Instagram at @youthvoil .
Stay Involved
Like everything you’ve seen so far? Consider joining our campaign, following our social media accounts and/or subscribing to our newsletter, linked below. We would love to have you join us in creating a livable future for our youth!
Are you an organization? If so be sure to sign onto our letter to CA Gov. Newsom demanding a fossil-free future. Review the letter below and fill out the google form to add your virtual signature.
Why We Love YvO
Youth v. Oil in the Media
Thank you so much for everyone who helped promote Youth v. Oil.
We have gotten the opportunity to be featured in several news articles and radio interviews, check them out!
