Earth Day Revolution: Be a Clean Energy Patriot
Since the first Earth Day began 40 years ago, and despite incredible progress on environmental protection, America has a failing energy policy that continues to reward polluters, undermines the health of the American people, threatens our national and economic security and keeps us dependent on energy sources from overseas. W
We call on Congress to finally push aside the obstruction of the polluter lobby and stand with America’s Clean Energy Patriots. We call for America’s elected leaders to join us as Clean Energy Patriots and deliver on the promise of clean energy revolution and climate action NOW!
Every day until Earth Day (April 22nd) volunteers from all over Virginia will be delivering fliers to our Senators’ offices. Each flier has a different reason why we need to act on climate this year.
Together we’ve written letters to the editor, placed calls into the senate offices, and sent emails urging Virginia’s Senators to work for a strong climate bill. This is a great start to help get the message across to Senators Webb and Warner that we need climate legislation in 2010.
Take the next step towards building a clean energy economy that will provide America with more jobs, less pollution and greater security. Be a part of the Earth Day Revolution by contacting Antigone Ambrose to sign up, antigone.ambrose@sierraclub.org or 804-225-9113 ext. 103.
Once you sign up we will provide you with instructions about how to set up your visit, up to date talking points, and the addresses and contact information for your closest Senate offices.
While corporate-funded climate change deniers are attacking science and trying to strangle the Clean Air Act, the truth is that Americans want the clean energy technology that will create economic opportunity. Make your voice heard by dropping by your district Senate offices this week!
We need an Earth Day Revolution, not just another celebration.
Reason 1: Clean energy and climate policies will create 2 million American jobs.
Reason 2: Investing in clean energy technologies will help revive our country’s manufacturing sector by creating more than 850,000 good-paying jobs.
Reason 3: We can save more than it costs. Clean energy and climate policy will save American families an average of $900 a year by 2030.
Reason 4: Ground-level ozone due to carbon emissions can damage lung tissue and is especially harmful for those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases.
Reason 5: Recent studies found that the gravest consequences of climate change could threaten to destabilize governments, intensify terrorist actions, and displace hundreds of millions of people due to increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, higher incidences of diseases such as malaria, rising sea levels, and food and water shortages. More droughts, famines, and floods caused by climate change will lead to collapse of vulnerable countries and create more havens for terrorists.
Reason 6: American has an opportunity to be the world leader in clean technology – that will create millions of good jobs here in America. If the US doesn’t act, it will be left behind by China, South Korea and other countries.
Reason 7: Comprehensive climate and energy policies can save businesses nearly $130 billion a year by 2030.
Reason 8: No one has more at stake about the impacts of climate change than today’s youth. Right now, our young people’s future is threatened by increased conflict, drought, famine, rising seas, and more limited resources.
Reason 9: Rising sea levels; the threat of floods; more extreme weather and other impacts are likely to displace hundreds of millions of people, putting more stress on already vulnerable countries.
Reason 10: Comprehensive climate and energy policies can save businesses nearly $130 billion a year by 2030.
Reason 11: The US Department of Agriculture says economic opportunities for farmers and ranchers can potentially outweigh the costs of climate legislation, especially over the long-term.
Reason 12: Due to the strong link between poverty and climate change, poor women across the globe feel the consequences of climate change disproportionally more.
Reason13: The U.S. should be the leader in clean energy. Not China, Denmark or Brazil. The country that leads in clean energy will lead the global economy for the 21st century.
Make a donation to the Virginia Chapter Sierra Club today!
