Current Issue
Climate action NEEDED
Deadline nears in CA, U.S., for climate proposals under ‘green bank’ initiative
OP-ED
Our children deserve environmental protection Op-ed by NM State Representative Debbie Sariñana
“The oil industry is a classic three-legged stool: It provides enormous revenue to fund public schools and the workings of state government, it provides thousands of good-paying jobs to New Mexicans — but it also exacts a toll on our health and environment . . . A recent report from the Center for Biological Diversity estimated more than 34,000 students in New Mexico’s oil country attend school approximately a mile from an oil extraction site. The air quality within this radius is some of the worst in the country. . .What makes it worse is that there are many pathways where schoolchildren are exposed to these air toxins — from just breathing to drinking contaminated water, or eating food grown on polluted soil, and even by the chemicals landing on their skin.” More
OP-ED
New Jersey must choose offshore wind progress over Big Oil profits Op-ed by NJ Atlantic County Commissioner Caren Fitzpatrick
“Big Oil groups have been relentless in their mission to lift restrictions on oil and natural gas exploration and drilling along the outer continental shelf, which runs about 3 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Their latest tactic? Working through shadow groups like Save Long Beach Island and the American Coalition for Ocean Protection to stifle offshore wind development . . . When deciding whether or not to pursue wind energy, the decision should be obvious. One of these choices will help alleviate threats to the environment and supply New Jersey with an influx of jobs. The other will continue the destruction of the environment while oil corporations laugh all the way to the bank. It’s time to move New Jersey forward.” More
OP-ED
We must act like Heat is the Emergency it is Op-ed by Phoenix, Arizona Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari
“This heat has had deadly consequences. In August, a former resident who returned to the Valley to visit family died while going on a morning hike, and heat-related deaths among people experiencing homelessness remain alarmingly high. In fact, heat is the deadliest natural disaster, killing more people yearly than hurricanes, tornados, and floods . . . As the city council member representing the largest unhoused community in our region, I’ve been raising the alarm on the urgent need to provide more permanent and temporary heat relief solutions. While we’ve made progress by installing more cool water tanks, implementing mobile cooling units, opening more heat relief centers, and creating the country’s first publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, there’s more work to do at all levels of government . . .” More
Elected officials speak about the challenges and benefits of the IRA on the law’s anniversary at the National Press Club with CSPAN.
The I.R.A. makes the largest ever American investment in climate, justice, clean energy, jobs, and lowers consumer costs, while supporting critical programs to improve the health and wellbeing of American families. Read more HERE.
“The I.R.A. is a historic investment in our security, prosperity, and health. Nations look to America for our leadership and it encourages them and industries to adopt clean energy technologies globally.” .”. . read and watch more HERE.
EPA’s proposed clean car standards will accelerate transition to electric vehicles and protect people, say veterans who are elected officials
The webinar was hosted by EOPA with Duncan McNeils, EOPA Programs Coordinator
Recently there has been disinformation about whale deaths on the East Coast with right wing backed organizations falsely accusing offshore wind survey ships of killing them. It’s more likely oil tanks did as 40 percent of the shipping traffic in the areas is from oil industry transportation, wirh less than 2 percent being offshore wind. survey ships Watch HERE.
Explore our radio shows, videos, more op-eds and documentaries
From California to Maine elected officials share their stories with us about how they are working to combat the climate crises in their communities, state and nation.
The IRA helps grow clean energy jobs across New York, Op-ed by John Polimeni, Schenectady City Councilmember, EOPA Dept. of Energy Taskforce Chair
“The importance of the IRA can’t be understated for working families; it attacks the climate crisis, wage stagnation and inequality. This is important because many working families bear a disproportionate burden from harmful fossil fuel pollution. Often in low-income communities these neighborhoods experience higher rates of asthma and other negative effects including more lost workdays and premature deaths. The IRA invests in communities that suffer the most from environmental and health hazards, providing more than $3 billion to cut pollution and improve public health . . .” Read more HERE.
Wind Development is a Win for New Jersey. Op-ed by New Jersey Assemblywoman Carol Murphy
“Orsted, the company charged with spearheading the project, has committed nationally to ensuring their projects are covered by a project labor agreement. This agreement includes a commitment to apprenticeship programs with a pointed interest in providing opportunities for women, communities of color, and the formerly incarcerated. “It’s a union agreement that’s going to lift additional people up and maintain tens of thousands of families in the middle class,” said President of North America’s Building Trades Unions Sean McGarvey . . . ”Read more HERE.
Uniting climate action and social justice in New York Op-ed by NY State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
.” . . Moreover, it mandates the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to identify and surmount barriers to renewable energy projects, energy efficiency improvements, weatherization investments, and low-emission transportation options in disadvantaged communities.Central to this legislation are the principles of inclusivity and fairness. It affirms that the benefits of climate action should uplift every segment of society, particularly those historically marginalized. Here, the Inflation Reduction Act takes its place with its Justice40 initiatives.In my Assembly district, the cities of Amsterdam and Schenectady stand as Justice40 communities, illustrating how these initiatives are striving to rectify disparities and promote inclusivity . . .” Read more HERE.
Explore podcasts with elected officials, community leaders, concerned citizens and powerful youth voices from across the country who are actively combating the climate crisis.
Explore podcasts from the City Climate Corner as they explore how small and mid-sized cities are tackling climate change and moving toward an equitable and sustainable future.
Share their ideas and innovations with others.Co-hosted by Abby Finis and Larry Kraft.
For City Climate Corner podcasts click HERE.
Explore podcasts from the Listening Project on the environmental fight in the refinery port city of Richmond, CA. From Chevron refinery’s toxic pollutants and the cleaning up of hazardous materials and from the former Zeneca site to the fight over the Point Molate shoreline, environmental concerns have shaped politics and conversations in Richmond for decades. These podcasts explore the issue.
For Listening Project podcasts click HERE
Radio/Print news reports
A partnership with PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE allows us to share important RADIO news reports from across the country on the climate crisis and action being taken.
Please listen or read the stories HERE.