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When future generations look back on President Joe Biden's leadership, it will be his commitment to tackling the climate crisis that defines his legacy. From the decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement to delivering the most transformative investment in clean energy in American history, Biden laid the foundation for a cleaner, safer future. And now, with President-elect Donald Trump taking office in little more than a month, taking action to curb reckless fossil fuel expansion is more important than ever.
As lawmakers from the United States and the European Union, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of American and European collaboration on climate action and global energy policy. Our roles give us a unique perspective on the urgent need to halt the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports–-a decision that would not only reaffirm the United States' commitment to climate leadership but also strengthen transatlantic efforts to combat the climate crisis.
In the final weeks of a long and remarkable career, the president must cement that climate legacy by stopping the expansion of America's LNG exports. Ending this dangerous expansion would offer a powerful statement of support for the world's shared climate goals, even as America prepares for a new administration under Trump, whose loyalties lie firmly with the fossil fuel industry.
America is currently the world's largest exporter of LNG, a fossil fuel whose environmental toll is staggering. Carbon and methane pollution from LNG contribute to global heating. Harmful air and water pollution poisons communities living along its sprawling supply chains. They are often low-income, marginalized, and already overburdened by toxic exposure and environmental hazards.
To justify continued expansion, fossil fuel companies argue that American LNG exports are essential to meet European energy demand and bolster international security. Yet this narrative is both disingenuous and dangerous, given that existing U.S. LNG infrastructure can already meet Europe's energy security concerns. Demand for gas in America's largest export markets, including Europe, Japan, and South Korea, is already declining as they pivot toward cleaner sources of energy.
As Trump prepares to assume office, his administration is expected to champion fossil fuel interests, rolling back climate protections and doubling down on outdated energy policies. Considering this, Biden has a final, urgent responsibility to take bold action to preserve climate progress. The expansion of LNG exports is not only economically reckless but also scientifically indefensible. It represents an existential threat to all of humanity by imperiling our climate. By halting LNG expansion and committing to the transition to renewable energy, Biden has the opportunity to demonstrate ambitious climate leadership before passing the baton to the rest of the world.
Wind, solar, and battery storage are already far better options—environmentally and economically—than gas. Renewables are increasingly becoming the cheapest form of power worldwide, and advancements in storage technology continue to make clean energy a reliable backbone for modern power grids.
Affordable, reliable, and safe, clean energy can already meet the vast majority of our energy needs. Doubling down on gas only delays the inevitable and needed shift from fossil fuels and ties consumers on both sides of the Atlantic to the more expensive, more dangerous option. The smart move—indeed, the only responsible move—is to pivot directly to renewables.
We believe Biden understands this. The president has shown before that he is willing to resist the powerful forces of climate denial and fossil fuel profiteering, and we have no doubt that he can do it again. At the close of a historic tenure in public service, Biden can solidify his climate legacy with a significant step toward a more just and sustainable future—by stopping the expansion of U.S. LNG exports.
Congressman Jared Huffman represents California's 2nd Congressional District, which spans the North Coast of the state from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border and includes Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte counties. He currently serves on the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Marie Toussaint is a French environmental activist, jurist, and an elected Member of the European Parliament.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
