Speak Out Against Executive Order on Environmental Regulations

posted in: Environment, Uncategorized | 0

From Interfaith Power and Light (http://interfaithpowerandlight.org):

Donald Trump has issued an executive order to turn back the clock on the climate progress we have made over the past decade.

Let him hear from you at http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50836/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=21566. (NOTE: see note at end)

Global warming threatens Creation and disproportionately harms the most vulnerable among us. That’s why climate change is the mother of all environmental justice issues, and an urgent priority for people of faith. Poor and vulnerable communities that contributed least to creating this problem bear the brunt of its impacts. From devastating drought in sub-Saharan Africa to powerful storms that wipe out coastal communities, to deadly air pollution in the U.S., it’s the poor who suffer “first and worst”.

It’s critical that we develop equitable solutions to climate change, and help communities hard hit by fossil fuel pollution transition to clean energy. As the world’s richest country and largest historical carbon polluter, we have an obligation to support climate vulnerable nations, as we have begun to do through the Green Climate Fund. We must also support vulnerable communities here in the U.S., help fossil fuel industry workers transition to renewable energy jobs, and prepare for and mitigate climate impacts that are already happening. But Trump wants to pretend climate change doesn’t exist. Tell him you oppose his actions.

In addition to directing the EPA to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, this executive order is sweeping and also attempts to undo methane standards for oil and gas operations, stop federal agencies from considering the impact of climate change in their decisions, and open up federal lands for coal mining.

Refusing to act on climate and rolling back important protections for our air quality is not only foolhardy, it will cost lives. The Clean Power Plan is estimated to prevent nearly 3,000 premature deaths from respiratory problems, heart disease, and other pollution-related illnesses.

The Clean Power Plan has important provisions to incentivize renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in lower income neighborhoods.  It will help bring the benefits of clean energy, like good jobs and lower energy bills to consumers in those communities. But Trump and Pruitt want to unravel this carefully crafted plan that had the input of millions of Americans through the public comment process. It’s not going to be as easy as they think.  Speak out against this irresponsible executive order.

This issue goes to the heart of our spiritual values and our call to serve the poor, protect life, and to be good stewards of Creation. Over the past decade, we’ve made important progress: EPA actions have helped curb pollution from power plants, mileage standards are making our cars more fuel efficient, and we have supported climate vulnerable nations to adapt with our contributions to the Green Climate Fund. We have much more to do, and we should be building on our progress, not reversing it.

Tell President Trump: we will not go backward.

We will fight these attempted rollbacks every step of the way. Our faith communities will continue to lead. We will use energy efficiently, install renewable energy on our facilities, and build climate resilient communities. We will support those most in need and those who bear the brunt of climate impacts. We pray that our government will join us.


NOTE: IPL received such a huge response from people of faith taking action to oppose Trump’s anti-climate executive order that the response system stopped accepting emails!

If you had trouble getting your email through or just want to take action again, add your name to this petition to President Trump registering your concerns with the Trump administrations attack on Creation.

Sign the petition at http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50836/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=21600.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.