From Oil Wells to Floodwaters: The Case for Climate Action
#KeepItInTheGround's Mission to End the Fossil Fuel Crisis
Key Points
- Fossil fuel extraction, such as coal mining and oil drilling, contributes to climate change, which may increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, like the recent Texas floods in July 2025.
- Stopping fossil fuel extraction, as advocated by movements like #keepitintheground, will help mitigate climate impacts, though the transition involves complex economic and social challenges.
- The @FFfFossilFuels account advocates for a safe end to fossil fuel use.
Recent Texas Floods and Climate Connection
In July 2025, Texas faced catastrophic flooding, particularly in the Hill Country, with over 100 deaths and many missing, as reported by multiple sources. This event, driven by heavy rainfall from a stalled storm system, aligns with research suggesting climate change, fueled by fossil fuel emissions, intensifies extreme weather events like floods. Evidence suggests that warmer temperatures hold more moisture, leading to heavier precipitation and increased risk of flash floods, as noted in the Wikipedia article on the July 2025 Central Texas floods.
Fossil Fuels and Environmental Impact
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and methane gas, supply about 80% of global energy, but their extraction and burning release greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. The United Nations and National Geographic highlight that these emissions trap heat, altering weather patterns and increasing flood risks. The EESI fact sheet estimates the cost of such weather events in the US at $606.9 billion between 2016 and 2020, underscoring the economic impact.
The #keepitintheground Movement
The #keepitintheground hashtag, seen in campaigns like keepitintheground.org and The Guardian, calls for halting new fossil fuel extraction to combat climate change. It serves as a rallying cry for leaving coal, oil, and gas unextracted, supported by science suggesting we must limit warming to safe levels, as per Nature’s findings.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Fossil Fuels, Climate Change, and Recent Environmental Disasters
Introduction
This report explores the environmental implications of fossil fuel extraction, particularly in light of the recent catastrophic floods in Texas in July 2025, and examines related movements like #keepitintheground and the @FFfFossilFuels account. Drawing from extensive research, this analysis aims to provide a detailed understanding of the connections between fossil fuels, climate change, and extreme weather events, while addressing advocacy efforts to mitigate these impacts.
Background on Recent Texas Floods
On July 3, 2025, a stalled storm system, linked to the remnant circulation of Atlantic Tropical Storm Barry, caused heavy rains over Central Texas, leading to deadly flooding from July 4 to July 7, especially along the Guadalupe River. According to The New York Times, at least 111 people died, with the death toll potentially rising as 173 remained missing by July 9, 2025. ABC News reported 120 deaths, with Kerr County hardest hit, recording 95 fatalities, including 36 children. NPR noted the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet within 45 minutes, highlighting the rapid onset of flash floods. The Guardian suggested these floods could signal a new norm, exacerbated by climate change, with experts warning of worsening weather disasters.
San Antonio’s rainfall intensity increased by 6% since 1970 and Austin’s by 19%, meaning more rain falls in a given hour than decades ago. This aligns with research from Climate Central, indicating a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, contributing to heavier precipitation events.
The Role of Fossil Fuels in Climate Change
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are the primary energy sources, supplying about 80% of global energy, as per National Geographic. However, their extraction and combustion release significant greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, accounting for over 75% of global emissions, according to the United Nations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), cited by ClientEarth, found that 89% of global CO2 emissions in 2018 came from fossil fuels and industry, making them the dominant cause of global warming.
Burning fossil fuels traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures that alter weather patterns. The EESI fact sheet details climate externalities, including extreme weather events like flooding, costing the US $606.9 billion between 2016 and 2020. Amnesty International notes that 2023 saw record rainfall causing deadly flooding in Europe and China, linking these events to fossil fuel emissions. The Washington Post emphasizes that continued fossil fuel use risks missing the 1.5°C warming limit, exacerbating such disasters.
A study in Nature suggests that to limit warming to 1.5°C, nearly 60% of oil and fossil methane gas, and 90% of coal, must remain unextracted by 2050, highlighting the urgency of reducing fossil fuel reliance.
The #keepitintheground Movement
The #keepitintheground hashtag emerged as a call to action against fossil fuel extraction, advocating for leaving these resources unexploited to mitigate climate change. Keepitintheground.org states, “The science is settled. There can be no new pipelines, no new permits, no new exploration, and no more excuses,” emphasizing the need to halt new fossil fuel development. The Guardian features a series on climate change and fossil fuel divestment, aligning with this movement.
Keep It in the Ground blog notes, “Science has spoken: the path to a sustainable future for people, wildlife and the planet does not include fossil fuels,” urging action to avoid the worst climate impacts. Intercontinental Cry, a media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of Indigenous peoples worldwide, collaborates with the Indigenous Environmental Network on #keepitintheground, focusing on journalistic efforts to highlight the issue. This movement is supported by findings like those in Nature, suggesting significant unextractable fossil fuels to meet climate goals.
The @FFfFossilFuels Account and Broader Advocacy
The @FFfFossilFuels account supports campaigns like “Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels” and “Stop Fossil Fuels,” which demand government action to phase out fossil fuels. These efforts align with the #keepitintheground movement, advocating for a transition to renewable energy.
Discussion and Implications
The recent Texas floods, with their devastating impact, underscore the urgency of addressing fossil fuel extraction. The connection between these events and climate change, driven by burning fossil fuels, is supported by multiple sources, including UNEP and EESI. The #keepitintheground movement and accounts like @FFfFossilFuels represent critical advocacy, but the transition involves economic challenges, as noted by The Washington Post, with communities dependent on fossil fuel industries needing support.
Conclusion
The evidence points to fossil fuel extraction deepening environmental crises like the Texas floods, necessitating action like that promoted by #keepitintheground and @FFfFossilFuels. This report highlights the need for a balanced approach, considering both environmental and social dimensions of phasing out fossil fuel usage, to forge a sustainable future.
Detailed Data Table: Impact of Fossil Fuels and Climate Change
Aspect |
Details |
Global Energy Supply |
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) account for about 80% of energy, per National Geographic |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
Over 75% of global emissions from fossil fuels, per United Nations |
Climate Impact |
Leads to global warming, altering weather patterns, increasing flood risks, per EESI |
Economic Cost (2016-2020) |
$606.9 billion in US for extreme weather events, including flooding, per EESI |
Unextractable Reserves |
60% oil, 90% coal must remain unextracted by 2050 for 1.5°C limit, per Nature |