The Fossil Fuel Free Pledge 

"It is time to transition away from fossil fuels and limiting the political influence of companies who profit from fossil fuels is an important part of that transition."

"We believe in a healthier ocean and world for all! The fossil fuel industry directly impacts the communities we work with and we won't support this."

"The BQuest Foundation believes that any organization that is committed to fighting the climate crisis should divest from companies that are perpetuating the use of fossil fuels. Profiting off of fossil fuel-related investments while also donating to climate-related causes is a fundamental misalignment of an organization's mission and investments and undermines their purpose. We also believe that philanthropic organizations should strive to avoid commingling their funding with fossil fuel-related businesses in ways that enable greenwashing. When a company whose primary business model is based on fossil fuels then donates to climate-related causes, they are greenwashing their reputation as a business that "cares" about climate change."

"The fossil fuel industry is clearly not shifting to renewables with anything like the speed required to avoid the worst aspects of climate change.  Instead they use their enormous profits to buy influence with politicians and to paper over their culpability with charitable donations.  Either way their money is tainted and all organizations and all electeds must refuse it.  For the sake of our cliimate we can do nothing less."

"The pledge is important to our organization because our primary purpose is decarbonization."

"Taking the Fossil Fuel Free Pledge is another step in our commitment to advocate for a cleaner, greener future. We cannot continue to let monied interest dictate our environmental policies. Change starts with the people demanding fossil fuel money out of politics."

"I serve on SDCP as CCA CAC representative for Imperial Beach. We are bringing green energy to IB, Chula Vista, La Mesa, San Diego, Encinitas and National City and incorporated SD County. I have been pleased to serve the past 2 1/2 years as Secretary of the Community Advisory Committee and continue to strive to bring 100% renewable energy to Imperial Beach."

"Our future, our only future, is a carbon-neutral future."

"Greenhouse gasses are contributing to climate change and will end up making our planet uninhabitable. Burning fossil fuels needs to stop."

"We are in a climate emergency. We can’t wait for a top-down approach. Local action is needed to take the lead."

"I fear for my 8 year old daughter's future. Climate change is an existential threat and we need to act immediately and decisively to prevent its most disastrous impacts."

"We must do better to preserve our Mother Earth and address the Climate Crisis we are currently facing, our future generations are depending on us."

"I'm a firm believer in people-powered campaigns, transparency, elections that are free from corporate influence, and electing candidates who are not beholden to the fossil fuel industry."

"Climate change is real and communities need to take action now for a sustainable future."

"The goal of SD-SEQUEL (San Diegans for Sustainable, Equitable & Quiet Equipment in Landscaping) is to transition away from gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment to electric. Small off-road engines produce more smog forming emissions than all of the cars in California."

"We must act now to save our environment for future generations. This pledge is important to me because it shows commitment to climate action."

"The political and “charitable” donations made by profit-driven fossil fuel companies corrupt every level of our political process. These profoundly anti-democratic donations allow big oil and gas to pollute frontline communities, expropriate Indigenous lands, block the transition to clean energy, and accelerate global warming during a climate emergency."

"We only have a few short years to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% if we are to avoid the worse consequences of climate change. As an organization we will not do anything that enables the fossil fuel industry to continue to endanger the lives of our children and grandchildren, including accepting any money from fossil fuel corporations."

"Our organization should be as carbon neutral as the bicycles we work so hard to promote as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation."

"I am fiercely determined to do everything in my power to shift us to zero carbon, and freeing our democratic institutions from the grip of the fossil fuel industry is essential that work."

"The only way to stop them [utilities] is to stop giving them our money and to stop taking theirs."

"It’s time for our city to stand up for a climate action plan with teeth and that transitions San Diego from carbon quickly. The fossil fuel pledge provides the transparency and accountability we need from our elected leaders."

"Caring for the earth is a matter of faith.  We believe that we must strive to be ethical at all levels of the organization, especially in how we deal with finances.  We appreciate this important call to divest from fossil fuels and focus on ensuring that our earth is sustainable for future generations."

"Fossil fuel use is a significant contributor to climate change. As a candidate who is committed to fighting climate change, from rising sea levels on the coast, to wildfire and extreme temperatures in the desert, I believe it is vital that we are focused on alternatives that are renewable, create policies to reduce current consumption, and stop the influence of fossil fuel money in government."

"It’s critical to live more sustainably and we need to show it as individuals."

"Air pollution from fossil fuels causes the premature deaths of 1 in 5 people worldwide.  Fossil fuels emit toxic chemicals, heavy metals, smog and pollution that poison the air our children breathe, the water they drink, harm nearly every cell in the body, trigger asthma and heart attacks and lead to strokes, cancer, diabetes, lung, heart and brain illnesses and neuroinflammation that causes cognitive decline and diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  Our children’s health, ability to learn, and thrive depend on a fossil-free future. Fossil fuel pollution ended the lives of over 8 million people in 2018, according to Harvard University, University of Birmingham, University Leicester and University College London. Studies directly link premature deaths from particulate pollution to fossil fuel combustion. Fossil fuels emit toxic pollution and climate warming Greenhouse gases and directly threaten public health, education, equity, racial, social, climate and environmental justice, ecosystems, oceans, rivers, forests, wildlife, birds, pollinators, soil, crops, food, water and geopolitical security.  Our children need us to do everything in our power to ensure that we have a fossil-free future.  All children need clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, access to parks, green spaces and public lands free of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, smog, Greenhouse gases and pollution. The actions we take today affect the health and welfare of our children and their future. Please join us at CleanEarth4Kids.org to work for a healthier world."

"This pledge is important for my grandchildren's quality of life."

"In the sea, on land, and in the air, humanity is strangling our planet in a climate disaster actively aggravated by deforestation, pollution, and species destruction.  As the co-founder and former president of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action, coordinator and consultant to the ReWild Mission Bay campaign through the San Diego Audubon Society, a former Surfrider San Diego and Oregon Wild communications chair, the founder and host of the Treehuggers International radio program, and an active environmental and conservation advocate throughout my personal and professional life, I'm ardently opposed to the influence of fossil fuel conglomerates in thwarting effective climate, renewable energy, and conservation policies, and I reject those companies' undue and considerable influence in all levels of government."

"As we finally transition to a greener future, it’s essential that we as elected officials show our commitment by taking the fossil free pledge."

"Our Mission is to protect and enhance the natural environment throughout San Diego. Fossil fuel extraction does not protect or enhance our natural environment."

"We refuse to be bought by corporations that don't care about their impact on our climate or communities. We're signing this pledge to stand, firmly, with San Diegans fighting for a better, more sustainable future."

“We want to lead by example and send a message to fossil fuel companies who think they can buy their way into continuing to pollute our environment.”

“The pollution and GHG emissions from fossil fuels pose a direct threat to our ocean, waves and beaches in San Diego County.”

“The fossil fuel industry has used its wealth and political power to mislead the public and stymie climate action and climate justice for over six decades. By signing this pledge, organizations and candidates are putting their money where their mouth is and showing the community that they are part of the solution – not part of the problem.”

“The Fossil Fuel Free Pledge campaign sheds light on what nonprofit organizations and elected officials truly stand for and believe in. This pledge also gives the public, voters, donors and philanthropists a greater sense of security knowing that the nonprofits and elected officials they choose to support do not stand behind greenwashing and won’t be compromised by a fossil fuel agenda that erodes climate action.”