Dear Camarillo City Council,
My name is Mel Espinoza, I was born and raised in Ventura County and currently reside in Moorpark.
I am a young concerned citizen in support of Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas (CFROG) in asking that the Camarillo City Council vote in supporting the phase out of oil and gas drilling.
An oil and gas phase-out will improve air quality and help protect public health. For instance, according to the California Air Resources Board, oil production was the largest facility source of methane, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Ventura County in recent years. These pollutants can cause serious negative health impacts such as cancer, asthma, heart disease, and other serious conditions, both acute and chronic.
We all deserve a right to clean air.
Although I do not reside in Camarillo, I have witnessed and seen how oil and gas drilling impact the health of those not only in our county, but our state, nation, and around the world. I have been advocating for climate justice for over 6 years now and I hope that more cities across our county follow suit in sporting the phase out of fossils fuels.
I urge the Camarillo City Council to vote in support of passing this resolution to phase out fossil fuels, defend safety setbacks, hold polluters accountable, and demonstrate the city's commitment to uplifting youth voices. Thank you.
- Mel Espinoza