Action Item: Protect Our Air

Written on: September 26, 2018

This important action comes to you from our Earth Committee. Please click on the two informational links and then on the last one to take action. Remember in doing so you are acting in accordance with our Corporate Stand to support the Principles of the Earth Charter, our Chapter Directive to foster cosmic consciousness and Laudato Si.

Thanks,

As you well know, the United States is the world’s largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, the primary driver of climate change. In an effort to reduce the United States’ contribution to climate change, the Obama administration devised the Clean Power Plan (CPP).  To learn more and for a quick refresher on the Clean Power Plan visit the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreaches website here!

Last October, the Trump administration announced the repeal of the CPP and last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled their replacement plan. Dubbed the “Affordable Clean Energy” (ACE) rule, the replacement plan allows states to decide not only how but if they will reduce their carbon pollution. Based on the EPA’s own estimates, the replacement could cause up to 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030 due to increased air particulates. The ACE rule stalls the shift to clean energy, thereby threatening public health and exacerbating the effects of climate change already affecting vulnerable communities.

See LCWR’s statement opposing ACE attached. Read more about the Catholic community’s response to the new rule here!

The EPA has scheduled only one public hearing on this plan, but the public can comment online until October 30!

You can send a comment to the Environmental Protection Agency today! Tell them that, as people of faith, we believe in caring for our common home and the administration’s replacement plan does not live up to this sacred  obligation. Our friends at the Columban Center have made it easy to comment. Simply click here  to receive help with composing and submitting your comment in defense of creation.

Blessings,
Ann

Ann Scholz, SSND, PhD
Associate Director for Social Mission
Leadership Conference of Women Religious

This entry was posted in Laudato Si' (LSAP) and tagged: Affordable Clean Energy ACE, air particulates, carbon pollution, Clean Power Plan, climate change, Common Home, Earth Committee, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, greenhouse gases, LCWR, Obama Administration, people of faith, public health, Trump administration