On July 27, Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana, became the latest casualty of America’s ongoing addiction to fossil fuels. The Crescent Midstream Crude Oil Facility released 34,400 gallons of crude oil into the vital waterway, prompting a state of emergency and plunging local communities into crisis.

This is not just an environmental disaster; it is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of our energy infrastructure and the disproportionate impact such events have on marginalized communities.

Bayou Lafourche is not just a reservoir. It is a lifeline, providing drinking water to several parishes, including Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne and parts of Ascension. Not only do residents smell a strong diesel fuel odor, but a water conservation order issued in response to the spill highlights the immediate threat to public health and daily life.

The economic implications are equally alarming. Lafourche Parish, which generates $54 million a year from tourism, now faces a potential long-term collapse. The agricultural sector, valued at more than $98.78 million, is threatened by water shortages that could harm livestock and crops. These numbers represent more than dollars; they represent livelihoods, dreams and generations of hard work.

But perhaps most troubling is the human cost of cleanup efforts. History shows that those responsible for cleaning up such disasters often come from socioeconomic groups that lack adequate access to health care. Research on the Deepwater Horizon spill found that cleanup workers were 60 percent more likely to develop asthma and were at increased risk for depression and PTSD. We need to make sure those on the front lines of this cleanup are adequately protected and supported.

This incident is not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a larger problem. According to the National Response Center, there will be more than 3,000 oil spills in the United States alone in 2022. These spills disproportionately affect communities of color, which are often located near hazardous facilities.

Studies have shown that Black and Latinx communities are exposed to 56% and 63% more air pollution than they produce, respectively, largely due to their proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure. This underscores the urgent need for stronger regulation and oversight of fossil fuel infrastructure.

For example, the Biden administration has reinstated and strengthened several environmental protections that were rolled back in previous years. In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to halt new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Additionally, the administration has proposed stricter methane emission standards for oil and gas operations, recognizing methane as a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

These efforts reflect a broader commitment to addressing the environmental and public health risks associated with fossil fuel infrastructure, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and reform. More importantly, they underscore the critical importance of transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources.

The people of Bayou Lafourche deserve better. They deserve clean water, clean air, and an economy that does not compromise their health and livelihoods. As we respond to this crisis, we must also look to the future, committing to a future where such disasters are a thing of the past.

It’s time for our leaders to take bold action. We need comprehensive environmental protections, support for affected communities, and a concrete plan to transition away from fossil fuels. The price of doing nothing is too high and it’s always those who can least afford it who pay.

The Bayou Lafourche oil spill is more than a local tragedy; it is a national wake-up call. Let us respond with urgency and resolve the demands that lie ahead.