Of course, I’m sure that giving a shout-out to a nonprofit focused on climate change was a completely unintended consequence of this morning’s Twitter rant. But hey, who am I to waste the opportunity; I wanted to post about recent events and our new video anyway. See actions below.
Let’s be clear: this administration’s environmental policy decisions have been abysmal. And by the recently-announced repeal of the Clean Power Plan, Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency is utterly failing to protect the both environment and the people who live in the environment, as in all of us, who need clean air, clean water, and good jobs. As we point out in our latest, seriously silly Don’t Just Sit There - Do Something! video, “What’s the Point?,” industrial point sources, and power plants in particular, are a serious problem for our climate and our health.
Watch it now — runtime 5:27:
The Science
Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that man-made global warming, is a big, urgent, worsening problem. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, electricity generation from coal and natural gas power plants is responsible for almost a third of our carbon dioxide pollution. And yes, this information is even available from the agency under Pruitt, though you now have to dig a bit on the website to find it. In addition to the climate impacts, burning coal also comes with toxic consequences: to air, with increased particulate matter and ozone; and to water, with acid rain, mercury in our fish and toxic ponds that occasionally rupture, sending mercury and arsenic into waterways. As a reminder, the Clean Power Plan was estimated to prevent 1,500 to 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks in children across the United States.
What’s Next
Pruitt says this move means the “war on coal is over.” While it makes for a good sound bite, the “war on coal” is a simplistic framing of a complicated situation. Coal jobs have been disappearing, yes, but for 50 years, and not because Barack Obama started single handedly closing coal plants as a first grader. The decline is primarily because of automation and the falling price of natural gas. But no one should be forgotten or abandoned. We all want the same things: good jobs and a clean, safe home. Coal country deserves better than a continuing dependence on a single, declining industry with disastrous consequences for air, land and water. And guess what? Solar energy, which as of 2016 contributes just shy of one percent of our energy supply, already employs more than twice as many people as the coal industry. The jobs of tomorrow are in the energy industries of tomorrow and no matter how pretty Pruitt makes it sound, scrapping the Clean Power Plan doesn’t do anything to bring coal jobs back. So in fact, Pruitt is being dishonest as well as damaging. The Clean Power Plan could support the transition that is needed to bring tomorrow’s energy jobs to coal country and encourage reinvestment and retraining in our communities, minus the asthma and black lung.
Take Action
1. The good news is that Pruitt’s move is going to face a lot of legal challenges. Several states and organizations already plan to fight the repeal. Public comment is required for this rule change, too; comments are being accepted by EPA until December 15, so DO SOMETHING: make your voice heard. Better choices by our government will, as with all issues, require the efforts of citizens to connect, stand up and be heard in support.
2. As it happens, if you are looking to support Communitopia’s efforts, we currently have ANOTHER perfect opportunity for you to Do Something. Introducing the T-Shirt for the Planet:
Reasons to buy this shirt right now:
- The message is clear and needs to be heard now more than ever - the Earth is on fire, people!
- We are donating 50% of the profits from sales to hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Climate impacts are real.
- The other 50% of profits goes directly to support climate change communication through Communitopia's (501(c)3 nonprofit) efforts, so your purchase does double duty.
- These comfortable, high-quality shirts are manufactured and printed in the USA
- These comfortable, high-quality shirts are made from 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled plastic bottles. Wearing this shirt is talking the talk and walking the walk.
- This popular design is back, but not for long. The iconic red Flaming Earth shirt will only be available until November 30 (the last day of the 2017 hurricane season). Buy it now, so you can wear it long after. Shirts will be printed when the campaign ends and shipped in time for the holidays.
Personally, I believe that this is more than a t-shirt. It’s a community-building tool. Wearing it identifies you to the many, many people out there who accept climate science and the need for more action, but feel isolated. It says, “You are not alone.” I wore the ‘proof’ shirt yesterday and had multiple remarks of “I like your shirt!” including from people I’ve never talked climate with before.
3. Lastly, if you want to just donate directly to hurricane relief without getting a shirt, that is also completely understandable and laudable.
So Don’t Just Sit There — DO SOMETHING!
Thanks for reading,
-Joylette
PS: This diary is adapted from one published at HuffPost.