The Consensus on Climate Change: It’s Time to Act
The crisis of climate change is felt across our nation and around the world. Today, President Obama's Administration proposed a bold plan to responsibly reduce carbon pollution and safeguard our children's health. Health organizations, business leaders and members of the faith community praised the proposed rule:
The American Lung Association:
Power plant pollution makes people sick and cuts short lives. We are pleased to see significant health benefits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed limits on carbon pollution from power plants, which would reduce the burden of air pollution in America, prevent up to 4,000 premature deaths and 100,000 asthma attacks in the first year they are in place, and prevent up to 6,600 premature deaths and 150,000 asthma attacks in 2030.
The American Thoracic Society:
"As a pediatric pulmonologist who cares for children with severe health problems,we are beginning to recognize the health effects of global warming in our practices…The ATS strongly supports the efforts of President Obama and the EPA to reduce the harmful emissions of greenhouse gasses from power plants.Today's rules are a step in the right direction toward mitigating climate change."
The American Academy of Pediatrics:
"As climate change accelerates, children will continue to suffer disproportionately…In fact, according to the World Health Organization, more than 80 percent of the current health burden due to the changing climate occurs in children younger than five years old. The regulation released today by the Environmental Protection Agency is a welcome and needed step to help make the air we breathe safer and cleaner for children."
The American Public Health Association:
"Today's EPA proposal does something unprecedented: guaranteeing lower levels of carbon emissions, which will reduce threats to public health. The proposal will cut carbon pollution, smog and soot, and in its first year will prevent up to 100,000 asthma attacks and 2,100 heart attacks. Thanks to EPA's proposed standards we will reduce these threats and provide all Americans with safer air, cleaner energy and a more stable climate."
177 Business Companies, Investors, and Religiously Affiliated Groups:
"As businesses concerned about the immediate and long-term implications of climate change, we, the undersigned strongly support the principles behind the draft Carbon Pollution Standard for existing power plants released today…The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed Carbon Pollution Standard for existing power plants represents a critical step in moving our country towards a clean energy economy.
"I write on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to address the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to develop standards to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants and thereby mitigate climate change…We are pastors in a faith tradition that teaches, as Pope Francis recently stated, ‘Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.' The best evidence indicates that power plants are the largest stationary source of carbon emissions in the United States, and a major contributor to climate change. Power plants have often been located near low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Air pollution from these plants contributes to respiratory problems, especially in the young and the elderly…"
"The Green Sports Alliance applauds President Obama's action to put the first ever federal limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants through the Clean Air Act. We appreciate his leadership on this critical issue. The health of the sports industry depends on a stable climate, and all the major sports leagues understand and recognize the risks that escalating climate change pose toward their future."
Organizations such as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, National Medical Association, Chicago Physicians for Social Responsibility, Trust for America's Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials, Health Care Without Harm, National Hispanic Medical Association, and Childhood Asthma Leadership Coalition have also demonstrated their support.
The President's actions today are the first step to combatting a pressing peril facing our country today and for generations to come. As the American Lung Association put it: "EPA's proposed limits show serious commitment to addressing one of the most serious public health challenges of our day, climate change…" Republicans should stop ignoring the issue and listen to the experts and overwhelming number Americans across parties lines.