{"id":49030,"date":"2026-07-06T12:18:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=49030"},"modified":"2026-07-06T12:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T19:18:19","slug":"as-high-heat-cancels-july-4-plans-us-must-declare-our-independence-from-fossil-fuels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/as-high-heat-cancels-july-4-plans-us-must-declare-our-independence-from-fossil-fuels\/","title":{"rendered":"As High Heat Cancels July 4 Plans, US Must \u2018Declare Our Independence From Fossil Fuels\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A young visitor shields themself from the sun at the Great American State Fair during Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall on July 4, 2026 in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0(Photo by Finn Gomez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow we confront the climate crisis will determine a lot about the next 250 years of American history, including if we make it that long,\u201d one climate advocate said. \u201cThe revolution we need today is the clean energy revolution.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Rosane<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jul 04, 2026 (CommonDreams.org)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US reliance on and promotion of fossil fuels<\/a> is interfering with its ability to celebrate its 250th birthday, as several July 4 events were canceled due to a dangerous, record-breaking heatwave in the Central and Eastern US that scientists say<\/a> would have been \u201cvirtually impossible\u201d without the climate emergency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As millions of people sweltered<\/a> under heat alerts, extreme heat<\/a> and humidity led to the cancellation of both Washington, DC<\/a> and Philadelphia\u2019s<\/a> Independence Day parades. Nearly 30 other events in states including Alabama, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania<\/a>, Maryland, and Virginia<\/a> were modified, postponed, or canceled, according<\/a> to USA Today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BlueSky: https:\/\/embed.bsky.app\/embed\/did:plc:t6ylzujdaa3f6mlpxn6gjqf5\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mpreahyb5k2a?id=5803807342352815&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.commondreams.org%252Fnews%252Fus-independence-fossil-fuels&colorMode=system<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RECOMMENDED…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Supporters<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As Millions Endure Extreme Heat, Climate Group Tells Congress: \u2018Protect People, Not Data Centers\u2019<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"'July<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018July 4th BBQ Burn\u2019: Reports Pin Blame for Sky-High Cookout Prices on Trump Policies<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe US having to cancel major 4th of July celebrations because of extreme heat is almost too spot on as a metaphor for the country\u2019s failure to combat\u00a0global warming<\/a>,\u201d Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn told Common Dreams. \u201cHow we confront the\u00a0climate crisis<\/a>\u00a0will determine a lot about the next 250 years of American history, including if we make it that long. The revolution we need today is the clean energy revolution so we can finally declare our independence from fossil fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X post: https:\/\/x.com\/NWS\/status\/2073390892384137666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2073390892384137666%7Ctwgr%5Ece336c82d3f2fc6ef974ef34febaefc7f71289bf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.commondreams.org%2Fnews%2Fus-independence-fossil-fuels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperature records were tied or broken in 22 locations on Thursday and 17 on Friday, according to CNN<\/a>, with DC breaking a 120-year record on both days with temperatures above 102\u00b0F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heat forced<\/a> the temporary closure Friday afternoon of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, and seven attendees required<\/a> \u201cadvanced life support,\u201d probably due to heat exposure, according to CNN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matt Rein, the Democratic National Committee\u2019s influencer and creative partnerships director, reported from the state fair on Saturday that local emergency\u00a0workers<\/a>\u00a0said guests were \u201cdropping like flies\u201d due to the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X post: https:\/\/x.com\/MatthewARein\/status\/2073503055794889174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2073503055794889174%7Ctwgr%5Ece336c82d3f2fc6ef974ef34febaefc7f71289bf%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.commondreams.org%2Fnews%2Fus-independence-fossil-fuels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, one group who tried to draw attention to the climate emergency at a July 4 event was evicted for its efforts by the US Coast Guard, as the Times Union\u00a0reported<\/a>. The nonprofit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater had attempted to join Saturday\u2019s Sail4th 250 parade of tall ships to New York Harbor when its sailboat was removed by the guard. The Coast Guard later said it was due to banners the boat was displaying reading, \u201cSave the Clean\u00a0Water<\/a>\u00a0Act\u201d and \u201cIndigenous rights,\u00a0racial justice<\/a>, climate solutions,\u201d despite the fact that the group had the event organizer\u2019s permission to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

A sailboat, the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, was removed from the Sail4th 250 Parade of Ships for displaying banners about climate justice and clean water.

Source: ig\/jackiemarieburton, ig\/sloopclearwater pic.twitter.com\/kJoS4RLgAQ<\/a><\/p>— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) July 4, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>