Climate change activists on Wednesday tried to shut down a fossil fuels auction at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Climate change activists on Wednesday tried to shut down a fossil fuels auction at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management had offered up 45 million acres of federally controlled ocean for fossil fuel development.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management had offered up 45 million acres of federally controlled ocean for fossil fuel development.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Bernard "Ben" Gordon, 66, of New Orleans was among the activists who protested the auction. Environmentalists are calling for the federal government to keep fossil fuel resources beneath the ground. Mining and burning them contributes to climate change.
Bernard "Ben" Gordon, 66, of New Orleans was among the activists who protested the auction. Environmentalists are calling for the federal government to keep fossil fuel resources beneath the ground. Mining and burning them contributes to climate change.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Sixty-seven million acres of federal land already are leased for fossil fuel development, according to a report from the Center for Biological Diversity. Activists say that's enough to keep the economy running while we transition to cleaner fuels like wind and solar.<br />
Sixty-seven million acres of federal land already are leased for fossil fuel development, according to a report from the Center for Biological Diversity. Activists say that's enough to keep the economy running while we transition to cleaner fuels like wind and solar.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
The protest in New Orleans was part of the national "keep it in the ground" movement. Climate activists vow to try to disrupt any auction of federal land for fossil fuel development.
The protest in New Orleans was part of the national "keep it in the ground" movement. Climate activists vow to try to disrupt any auction of federal land for fossil fuel development.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Climate activists marched on the Superdome carrying signs that said "Keep it in the ground" and "Solar doesn't spill." Louisiana has been hit hard by environmental disasters, from Hurricane Katrina to the BP oil spill.
Climate activists marched on the Superdome carrying signs that said "Keep it in the ground" and "Solar doesn't spill." Louisiana has been hit hard by environmental disasters, from Hurricane Katrina to the BP oil spill.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
James Adams, business development manager for Petroleum Geo-Services, was among the oil and gas industry reps attending Wednesday's fossil fuel lease sale.
James Adams, business development manager for Petroleum Geo-Services, was among the oil and gas industry reps attending Wednesday's fossil fuel lease sale.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Protesters tried to stop the auction on Wednesday but were unable to do so. Nearly 700,000 acres of ocean were auctioned for fossil fuel development, earning the government $156 million.
Protesters tried to stop the auction on Wednesday but were unable to do so. Nearly 700,000 acres of ocean were auctioned for fossil fuel development, earning the government $156 million.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
The activists said their demonstration was also designed to raise awareness and to make a symbolic point, not just stop the lease sale.
The activists said their demonstration was also designed to raise awareness and to make a symbolic point, not just stop the lease sale.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Tershara Matthews, of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, takes notes during the reading of bids.
Tershara Matthews, of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, takes notes during the reading of bids.
Annie Flanagan for CNN
Some auction attendees from the oil and gas industry were perplexed by the protest. One said it was "naive"; another questioned the science of climate change; while another said the protesters had a right to be heard.
Some auction attendees from the oil and gas industry were perplexed by the protest. One said it was "naive"; another questioned the science of climate change; while another said the protesters had a right to be heard.
Annie Flanagan for CNN